15 India-Bangladesh Relations

Dr. Suresh Dhanda

Structure of the Module

1. Introduction

2. Objectives

3. Various Stages of Relations

3.1. Honeymoon Period

3.2.Period of Ups and Downs

3.3.New Beginning

4. Problems

4.1. Water distribution of rivers

4.2. Dispute on Enclaves

4.3. Problem of Chakma refugees

4.4.Problem of Smuggling

4.5.Problem of Illegal Citizens.

5. Conclusion

6. Important Questions

7. Suggested Readings

1. Introduction

Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 as a result of separation from Pakistan. India played an important role in this process. Many experts have compared this role of India with the role of midwife in the birth of Bangladesh. India not only provided training and weapons to the soldiers of Muktivahini, a force fighting for the freedom of Bangladesh, but also maintained and taken care of about one crore refugees. India was the first country to grant recognition to Bangladesh on 6th December 1971 even before the formation of a permanent government there. India made an agreement on 10th December 1971 with the then acting President of Bangladesh through which efforts were made to liberate the Bangladesh completely by forming a joint command of Indian Army and Muktivahini. Besides, they reached on consent about establishment of the essential civil services, to return the refugees, on foreign policy and to reinstate the normal situation. After that, efforts were made to release Sheikh Mujiburahman from Pakistani custody. He was released on 10th January 1972. After Mujib Came into power, the second treaty was signed. In this treaty, along with other things, there was a commitment to provide the goods and services worth Rs 25 crores to Bangladesh for its restructuring, and a loan of foreign currency of 50 lakh pounds was also granted to Bangladesh which was to return in 5 years in 15 instalments. Keeping in view the background of these relations, it will not be wrong to say that the beginning of sound relations between the two was not only natural but essential also.

2. Objectives

Through this module an effort will be made to acquaint the readers with the various stages of India-Bangladesh relations. Both these countries started their relations in a happy and cordial mood. It was but natural because India played a very important role in the birth of Bangladesh. But the pitch of their relations has not always been so smooth. There have been many disputes between them. This module will enquire all those issues of dispute. Module will analyse all the agreements and treaties signed between the both. Period wise study of their relations has been done in this module. Important questions and suggested readings have also been provided in the end of the module.

3. Various Stages of Relations

The proper analysis of Indo-Bangladesh relations can be done on the basis of following classification:- (1) Honeymoon Period, 1971-1975. (2) Period of Ups and Downs, 1976-1995. (3) New Beginning, 1996 onwards.

3.1. Honeymoon Period

The first phase of India-Bangladesh relations was during the regime of Sheikh Mujib (1971-1975) which can be called the period of sound friendship and cooperation between both the countries. This period starts from the courtesy visits of both the Prime Ministers—Sheikh Mujib (February, 1972) and Indira Gandhi (March, 1972). Political, economic and cultural relations developed cordially between both the countries during this period. Treaty of friendship and cooperation for 25 years signed on 19th March 1972 has been the most important event from political angle. Whereas on one side, through this treaty both the countries expressed their commitments not to interfere in each other’s internal matters, to respect each other’s boundaries, not to support any other country against each other and on the other side, to oppose the colonialism, apartheid and imperialism to strengthen world peace and security. There was a provision in this treaty to increase overall economic, scientific, technical, trade, and transportation and communication cooperation. Provision for joint action was also made for the development of hydroelectricity irrigation. Finally, keeping in view the historical relations of both the countries, provision was also made to increase relations in art, literature, education, culture and health. Beside this, there was a system to solve the bilateral disputes arising out of this treaty through dialogue. Pakistan termed this treaty as military alliance but keeping in view the overall context and its nature of not having opposition to any third country, this treaty can be termed just as friendly efforts of both the countries to establish peace in this region and not the military alliance.

Even during the Indo-Pak Shimla talks, India continuously kept informed Bangladesh about all the activities by showing its full cooperation. Efforts were also made by India for the membership of Bangladesh in UN. After that, through Indo-Pak agreement (1974) and India-Pak-Bangladesh Agreement on prisoners of wars, the friendly efforts were taken to reinstate the normal situation in the Bangladesh. Beside the economic assistance and granting of loan, India also signed a bilateral agreement on economic cooperation in 1972. This agreement was divided into three parts which are as follows:-

In the first part, there was a provision of free trade up to 16 kilometres from the borders of both the countries. Besides, only the goods for daily uses were included in the trade which were beneficial for both. Keeping in view the no-employability of the people living in border areas, the permission was granted to the citizens of both the countries to cross the border once in a day and bring up to the Rs 100 with them.

In the second part, there was a provision for amount of trade and goods for both the countries. It was decided that both countries will be able to send the goods worth Rs 50 crores to each other. According to this, Bangladesh will send fishes, raw jute, skins and papers used for printing the news paper while India will send tobacco, cement, threads, minerals and machinery to Bangladesh.

The third part was related to the foreign currency. According to this both the countries can have any goods from each other on the basis of payment through their own currency.

Both countries signed two economic agreements and three agreements related to loan in 1974 also. According to this, India will grant loan worth Rs 41 crores to Bangladesh and agreed to establish four industries in Bangladesh. Efforts were made to form a ‘Jute Commission’ and to stop the smuggling. An interim agreement was also signed on 18th April 1975 to solve the Farrakka dispute lasting since 1947. For the development in cultural field, both the countries signed an agreement in 1972. Through this, the efforts were taken to make the cultural, educational, scientific and technical relations sounder. The exchange of representatives associated with these fields in both the countries was promoted. Cooperation in the publication of educational material, books, booklets and magazines was also promoted.

3.2. Period of Ups and Downs

The second stage of relations has been from 1976 to 1995 in which the relations have passed through various ups and downs. The followings were the reasons of differences between the both during this period:-

Most of the governments in Bangladesh in this period have been of anti-Mujib blocs. Hence, they adopted the foreign policies contrary to Mujib’s policies.

The main policies of Bangladeshi governments in this period were tilted towards Pakistan. Hence, the anti-Indian stance was quite obvious.

Bangladesh has also been diffident due to the increasing military capability of India during the decades of 1970 and 1980.

There have been some important disputes between the both like Farakka dispute, moor island dispute, illegal immigration, boundary dispute, problems related to enclaves etc.

Relations also improved sometimes in between this period. For example signing of agreement on Farakka barrage on 29th September 1977 by Janata government but this agreement was cancelled on the recommendation of Bangladesh in 1982. The relations also got improved through Tista Water Agreement signed on 30th July 1983. The situation became normal by providing a Teen Bigha corridor by India to link the two enclaves of Dahagram and Angarpota in 1982. Also both countries came closer through the summits of SAARC in the decade of 1980. But this closeness, arising out of these agreements, never turned into friendship. However, tension between the both definitely reduced. But these relations could not touch even the borderlines of friendship present during the period of Mujib.

3.3. New Beginning

The beginning of third stage of their relations may be considered in 1996 with the coming of Sheikh Hasina’s (daughter of Mujiburahman) government in power in Bangladesh and the new government of United Front in India. The main reason of this may be the courtesy visits by both the Prime Ministers— Sheikh Hasina (December, 1996) and H.D. Devagowda (January, 1997) to each other’s country and the solution of serious problem like Farakka water distribution through mutual dialogue. The new beginning of cordial relations of both the countries started due to the changed world order, regional cooperation and adoption of policies free from prejudices by both the countries.

The improved relations of these countries also got an institutional base during this period. India developed ‘Gujral Principle’ to improve the relations with neighbours in which there was a provision of one sided concessions to the neighbours. The solution of Ganges water dispute was an important step under this initiative. Keeping in view the failures of SAARC, a regional group was formed as BIMSTEC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand) in June 1997 to increase the economic cooperation among South and South East Asian countries. Through this group, efforts were made to link South and South East Asia through the development of roadways between India and Bangladesh.

The issue of terrorism is also an important reason of differences between the both. The rebel groups of North East India still are in asylum in Bangladesh. For example, the chief of ULFA, an Indian outfit, Anup Chetia is still in Bangladeshi Jail and India wants his extradition. ISI (Pakistan) and outfits of Al Qaeda are also active against India through Bangladesh. As a proof, India submitted the list of 99 rebel groups of North Eastern States and 77 secessionists to Bangladesh working there against India during a meeting of Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) on 1st November 2002. Hence, the basic differences between the both are at the same level despite the close cooperation.

The severity of these differences increases more near the elections. In this regard, Bangladesh National Party (the party of Khalida Zia) acts sometimes to provoke the common masses through anti-Hindu and radical propaganda. For example, prior to the elections in April 2001, being the tense situation between both the countries, the 16 soldiers of BSF were killed by the mob of Bangladesh, but Bangladesh Rifles did not take any step. Hence, these kinds of events exert the negative impact on the cordial relations of both the countries.

At present, the relations are getting cordial again with the positive steps taken by both the countries. The chief among them are: (1) ‘Border Security Force’ and ‘Bangladesh Rifles’ have started the joint action against terrorism. (2) The Kolkata-Dhaka bus service was restarted. (3) Though Bangladesh is not ready to run railway service to Jamuna Bridge from Siyaldeh of India (Kolkata) but it may become the reality very soon. India and Bangladesh are agreed to have dialogue on ‘free trade agreement’ in October 2004. In this way, certainly, a new initiative was taken on many issues after different changes.

This new beginning was strengthened by the visits of Bangladeshi Prime Ministers Begum Khalida Zia (2006) and Sheikh Hasina (2010). This change was not witnessed enough during the first visit but this was comprehensive and with full warmth during the second visit. During the visit of Begum Zia, both the countries agreed on the execution of Siyaldeh-Jaidevpur railway link and expressed their consent to have early talks on the issue of Tista River. Besides, both reached consent that joint solution of the problem like terrorism may be more viable.

The visit of Sheikh Hasina to India in 2010 proved a milestone in many ways. Five main agreements were signed during this visit from 10th to 13th January and consent was also expressed on many other issues. These five agreements were: (1) agreement for mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, (2) agreement on transfer of convicted prisoners, (3) agreement on international terrorism, organised crime and check on smuggling of drugs, (4) memorandum on cooperation in the field of electricity, and (5) agreement on cultural exchange. These efforts brought some good results which were as follows:-

Both countries reached on consent that they will not allow the territories of each others to be used by internal or foreign terrorists’ activities. Before this, Bangladesh gave a good gesture by handing over the terrorist of Assam, Rajkhova, to India.

Whereas India gave assurance to provide electricity for Dahagram Aangrapota, Bangladesh invited to construct flyover on Teen Beegah corridor for the use of India only.

India declared to provide railway and road facility to Bangladesh for travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. Bangladesh agreed on construction of Akhaira-Agartala railway link. Both the countries expressed their consent that Rohanpur-Singabad broad gauge railway link will remain available to go for Nepal. Bangladesh informed about its will to convert the Radhika-Birol railway line into broad gauge and requested to get the transit railway link for Bhutan. Experts believe that if there is a facility of railway or road transportation between Kolkata and Agratala via Bangladesh, the distance of 1700 kilometre will be reduced to only 500 kilometre. By getting the Bangladeshi passage opened the mutual trade of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar will increase manifold.

Along with the consent of both the countries to declare the Aashuganj (Bangladesh) and Silhar (India) ports open, Bangladesh now will allow using the Mongla and Chargaon ports for the goods to be transported to India.

Both the countries stressed on calling the early meeting of joint river commission to solve the Tista river problem. Besides, this commission will also discuss the issues associated with fenny, manu, muhari, khoval, gumhi, dharia and dudhkumar. Both expressed their consent on the execution of followings- (i) Dredging the Ichhamati (ii) River protection in Mahananda, Karatova, Naagar, Kulik, Atrai, Dharia and Fenny.

Both countries tried to end tariff and non tariff barriers and sailing controls for balance of trade. India reduced the prohibited list related to Bangladesh from 700 to 400 in this regard.

Both countries expressed their consent on comprehensive solution of unsolved issues as per the sense of 1974 land border agreement and land border issues.

Besides, India granted one billion dollar i.e. Rs 4500 crore to Bangladesh as a grant in aid. This is the highest one time grant ever given to any country by India. India gave this grant to Bangladesh for railway infrastructure, BG loco meter, supply of passenger bogies, restructuring of Saidpur workshop, purchase of other buses along with Articular buses and for various schemes along with Drazing schemes. It will not only strengthen the infrastructural development in Bangladesh but will provide more strength to cordial economic relations of both the countries. Besides, both the countries will celebrate the year 2011 jointly as the 150th anniversary of Rabinder Nath Tagore, the author of National Anthems of both the countries. Indian government will provide 300 scholarships every year to the students of Bangladesh in various subjects for the coming five years. Hence, this visit made the relations sounder. The full consent on six main issues is necessary for the long term permanent relations between both countries. These issues are: (1) migrant Bangladeshi, (2) insurgency, (3) boundary dispute, (4) anti Hindu violence, (5) Ganges water dispute, and (6) trade dispute.

4. Problems

For the estimation of any kind of future relations between both countries it is necessary to have detailed information and analysis of current issues. There have been five disputed issues between the both in this regard and the objective analysis of these is essential. These issues are as follows:-

Water distribution of rivers. Dispute on Enclaves.

Problem of Chakma refugees. Problem of Smuggling.

Problem of Illegal Citizens.

4.1. Water distribution of rivers

The most important issue of dispute between both the countries has been the problem of water distribution of rivers. There are 54 joint rivers between both but the dispute on the water distribution of Ganges is at the top. In this regard, a short-term agreement was signed in 1975 and a long-term on 29th September 1977. This problem erupted due to the construction of dam at Farakka on Ganges because India wants to keep the particular water flow during the summers to save the Kolkata port through this dam. In this agreement, both countries agreed on a plan for distribution of water from 1st January to 31st May. According to this, during the season of scant flow, Bangladesh will get 62.5% (34700 cusec) and India will get 37.5% (20800 cusec) water. Besides, there was a provision if Ganges flows below estimate then India will provide to Bangladesh at least 80% of water approved for it. This agreement was for 5 years, which will be reconsidered after 3 years.

The opposition of this agreement started in Bangladesh within a short span of time after it concluded, while the reality was opposite to this. This agreement was basically a blow on the interests of India because Indian and foreign experts believe that at least 40000 cusec water is required to save the port of Kolkata but according to this agreement, the amount required could be available only for 10 days during the period of five months. Besides, if taken on facts, the 94% of total population is inhabited in the basin of Ganges while 90% of main flow of Ganges falls in India. India has no other source to save its port of Kolkata while Bangladesh has lot of sources in this regard. Bangladesh has no means to check the water; hence, there is no alternative except to flow out the whole water in the sea. In this way, even after the provisions made in the favour of Bangladesh, India became ready to cancel the agreement on its appeal during the visit of General Ershad to New Delhi in 1982. The amended form of this agreement remained in force till 1988. After that, no agreement could be concluded between the two in this regard.

After that, the differences continued between the both. To solve this problem and to have a permanent solution in this regard, India presented the proposal of Ganges-Brahamputra Link canal which was approved by the World Bank also. Bangladesh argued that by executing this agreement, a larger portion of its land will go wasted. But the facts are contrary to this. In reality, the 238500 acres land of India and 20000 acres land of Bangladesh will be used in this plan, and this portion of land is only 2% of irrigated land of Bangladesh. On the other side, Bangladesh kept on suggesting that Nepal should also be involved in this plan, and provision of collecting water in Nepal should be made. In the beginning, India opposed it but after that Rajiv Gandhi government accepted it. Through this plan, 25000 to 30000 cusec water will be increased in the flow of Ganges. This will not be enough even to fulfil the requirements of Bihar and Utter Pradesh, if we leave the port of Kolkata aside. Even it cannot fulfil the demands of Bangladesh which is continuously increasing. It was 3500 cusec in 1960 which increased to 29350 cusec in 1968 and reached to 55000 cusec in the decade of 1970.

In this way, this problem continued due to the contrary approaches of both the countries. This was solved after the formation of new governments in both the countries in 1996. Both countries solved this problem by signing a ‘12 points 30-year treaty’ on 12th December 1996 during the visit of Sheikh Hasina to India. On the basis of this treaty, the 35000 cusec water will remain available for both the signatories for the duration of 10 days each alternatively for three times from 11th March to 10th May.

Both have solved this bilateral problem on the basis of above agreement. No provision of any institution was made to solve any dispute in this treaty due to the mutual confidence of the leaderships of both the countries. Giving an impression of liberalism, India termed this agreement very important document to influence the bilateral relations in the coming years. This agreement came into force from 1st January 1997. Provision to review it after 5 years or on necessity was made in this agreement. In this way, the deadlock continued from last 8 years (1988-1996) between both the countries ended. If there is no fresh agreement in future, India will continue to supply at least 90% water to Bangladesh on the basis of data from 1949 to 1988 according to this agreement.

Many experts of India believe that this agreement is based on false data. The availability of water has reduced enough after 1988 which could not achieve the average availability of water during 1949 to 1988.

On 31st May 1999, this treaty crossed its tenure of three years. On the basis of its experience, the general image of this treaty appeared before the citizens and government of Bangladesh that it did not work properly. The less flow of water in the month of March has been its main reason. According to the member of India’s Integrated Water Resources Commission, Ramaswami R. Ayyar, four elements are responsible for this problem which are as follows:- (1) The general aspect of water resources. (2) Safety from the erosion by tributaries. (3) The strange difference between the exit of water from Farakka dam and receiving of water at Harding dam. (4) The reason of soil build-up at Gorai (the place of water discharging in Bangladesh).

Besides, he considers four reasons responsible for this kind of perception of Bangladesh about this treaty, because in reality, the functional aspect of the treaty has not been so dissatisfactory. These four reasons are as follows:-

The proportion of amount of water received by Bangladesh should be considered valid on the basis of appendix-1, and not on the basis of appendix-2.

The reason of less amount of water during the first 10 days of April was the question of safety of the tributaries, for which India tried to compensate in the later days.

The scientific study of exit of water from Farakka and collection of water in Harding dam is essential.

The problem of exit of water from Gorai is an internal problem of Bangladesh which is essential to be solved.

Even after, Ayer believes that if both the countries adopt transparent and positive approach, this treaty will prove most useful and effective for both the countries.

There are disputes on other rivers also. Disputes emerged between the both on Muhari river (time limitation of this river was fixed in the agreement of 1974) in 1974, 1979 and 1986. The dispute has also been on Tista river which was solved by the agreement of 1983. Churani River dispute in relation to the pollution spread by Bangladeshi factories is still continued. Jayant Kumar Ray believes that these disputes are still continued because of the incapability of taking decisions by the bureaucracy of both the countries.

4.2. Dispute on Enclaves

There has been a dispute on enclaves also between India and Bangladesh. However, the efforts were made to solve this problem through the agreement of 1974. But the two enclaves— Dahagram and Angarpota were still left in India. On the basis of an agreement between India and Bangladesh in 1982, India provided a corridor of Teen Bigha (180X185) to connect these enclaves to Bangladesh. But this issue got delayed because of the petition filed in Kolkata High Court and later on in Supreme Court. Bangladesh did not want to repeat the example of Beribaru, rather, it alleged that India has taken the railway route of West Bengal to Assam in lieu of this agreement, but did not handed over Teen Bigha to it. But finally in 1990, Supreme Court also cleared the matter. Consequently, Indian government handed over this region to Bangladesh on 26th June 1992 despite the opposition of BJP.

111 enclaves of India and 56 enclaves of Bangladesh are in the territories of each other. Both had to exchange these enclaves as per the land border agreement (LBA) of 1974. Consent was reached on having joint census and survey in 2005. But the joint commission of both the countries formed for this purpose could not have even a single meeting till date. But finally, the issue was settled by both the countries by swapping their enclaves on midnight of 31st July and 1st August 2015 when nearly 37000 people living in 111 Indian enclaves and 14000 people living in 51 Bangladeshi enclaves got the citizenship of their choice as a result of the execution of an agreement signed in 1974 between both the countries.

The similar dispute erupted on ‘Nav Moor Island’ of Bay of Bengal having the area of 12 square kilometres. Bangladesh occupied this island (even after it is too close to the Indian border). The south ‘Talpati’ of Bangladesh and ‘Purbansa’ of India have been the reasons of grave dispute between both the countries. Though today this region is under the control of India but there is no possibility of its complete solution without consent based on a joint survey of both the countries.

4.3. Problem of Chakma Refugees

The issue of re-habitation of Chakma refugees in the Chittagong hilly region of Bangladesh is still an issue of dispute between both the countries. Though Bangladesh has accepted to take these refugees back, yet it has always been denying accommodating them on the pretext of not having the proper place. Both have dispute over their numbers also. When India told this number 27000 and 32000, Bangladesh accepted it as 24000. When India told this number 48000, Bangladesh considered it 24390, when India told it 49000, Bangladesh admitted 26042. The final number India considered is 50000. But Bangladesh considers it as 30000. This problem becomes more severe when associated with the security of refugees, human rights, asylum to the rebels, establishment of peace force, etc. This issue is still pending for solution. This issue was raised during the Bangladesh visit of H.D. Dewgowda on 5-6 January 1997 but both countries could not reach on consent.

4.4. Problem of Smuggling

Due to the economic imbalance between both the countries the trade deficit has always been in the favour of Bangladesh. Hence, smuggling was promoted instead of regular trade. Both the countries have to find out the solution of this serious problem jointly. Bangladesh fulfils the demand of its necessary goods like food, edible oil, spices etc through the smuggling of luxury goods to the people of India like Japanese camera, tape recorder etc. Smuggling is getting fully promoted between both the countries instead of business which is a cause of worry for both countries.

4.5. Problem of Illegal Citizens

Another important issue of dispute is the infiltrating of illegal citizens from Bangladesh to India. The Indian citizenship was granted to all those illegal citizens who came from Bangladesh to India before 1971. But after that this issue became serious. As a result, a huge number of these illegal people entered in the boundary states of India like Tripura, Assam, Mizoram and West Bengal. According to an estimate in December 1991, the number of these people was 100000 in New Delhi and 587000 in West Bengal. This problem turned into a dangerous situation after the severe opposition by Assam Gan Parishad in the decade of 1980. As a result of increasing influence of BJP after the decade of 1990, now this issue has become very sensitive for India. India has adopted double strategy to tackle this problem. On the one side, it has send back these illegal citizens to Bangladesh and on the other side, the act of fencing the whole border of 4095 kilometre started in April 1984. Jayant Kumar Ray perceives this solution of India as a failure of bureaucracy. Ramesh Thakur believes that this is an improper military solution of the problem associated with the issue of population. There are various difficulties in executing this kind of solution between both the countries— (1) the boundary line of both the countries is not clear because it is demarcated through houses, markets and villages at many places. (2) At many places, the centres of rivers are demarcated as boundaries. (3) Both countries have granted the rights of fishing to the citizens of each other in their territories through various agreements. (4) There is the problem of ‘contrary occupation’ also between the both. Land belongs to one country while cultivating the citizens of other country. Hence, this disputed matter cannot be solved easily. Hence, there is a need of taking the logical and sensitive attitude on this dispute by both the countries.

5. Conclusion

Keeping in view the study of above relations and problems, it can be concluded that India had an important contribution in the independence of Bangladesh and established the sound relations in the early years. But shortly, this honeymoon period turned into mutual differences. ‘The treaty of friendship and cooperation for 25 years’ was signed between both the countries, consent emerged on various economic agreements, and India also granted liberal loan and grant-in-aid to Bangladesh. The internal political situation of Bangladesh has also been responsible for these events up to some extent. Cold war, role of America and South Asian policies of China and Pakistan have also contributed in this process. Certainly, at present there are some positive indications in this regard, on the basis of which we can hope for the cordial relations. These are as follows:-

Both the countries will come closer through the participfation in SAARC and through increasing regional cooperation.

End of cold war and world detente have also brought some positive impact on this field.

The formation of a democratic government in Bangladesh is also a cooperative element.

Sheikh Hasina (daughter of Mujib) government in Bangladesh and new governments in India stressed more on maintaining the relations with neighbours, which strengthened the possibilities of cooperation more between both countries. Agreement on Farakka water distribution in December 1996 is an indication of their good beginning.

The emerging cooperation between the both in the region of Asia Pacific in the post cold war period has also brought positive impact indirectly.

Cordial relations between India and China will also increase cooperation between the both.

The benefit of this positive situation can be taken by both the countries if they start thinking in a broader perspective of regional and world peace by leaving the narrow approach of bureaucracy. The modern period provides the suitable environment for realistic policies. The need of the hour is just to follow the more sensitive and reasonable policies by the leadership of both the countries.

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Suggested Readings

a) Books/Articles

Amitabh Matto & Happymoon Jacob, Shaping India’s Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Har-Anand, 2010.
C.Raja Mohan, Crossing the Rubicon: The Shaping of India’s Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Penguin/Viking, 1993.
Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh-India Relations, Michigan, University Press, 2002.
IDSA Task Force Report, India-Bangladesh Relations: Towards Convergence, New Delhi, IDSA, 2011.
Jayant Kumar Ray, India-Bangladesh Relations: Current Perspectives, New Delhi, Knowledge World, 2011.
Kanti Bajpai & Harsh Pant, eds., India’s Foreign Policy: A Reader, New Delhi, Oxford, 2013.
Lalit Mansingh, et al, eds., Indian Foreign Policy: Agenda for the 21st Century, New Delhi, Konark, 1998. ( 2 Vols.).
Muchkund Dubey, India’s Foreign policy: Coping With The Changing World, New Delhi, Pearson, 2012.
P. Sukumar Nair, India-Bangladesh Relations, New Delhi, APH, 2008.
R.S.Yadav & Suresh Dhanda, eds., India’s Foreign Policy: Contemporary Trends, New Delhi.
R.S.Yadav, Bharat Ki Videsh Niti, New Delhi, Pearson, 2013.
Rajiv Sikri, Challenges and Strategy: Rethinking India’s Foreign policy, New Delhi, Sage, 2014.
Ramesh Thakur, Politics and Economics of India’s Foreign Policy, New Delhi, Oxford, 1994.
Smruti S. Patnayak, ed., Four Decades of India-Bangladesh Relations: Historical Imperatives and Future Direction, New Delhi, Gyan Publishing House, 2012.
Stephan Cohen, India: Emerging Power, Washington, D.C., Brookings, 1993.
Summit Ganguly, ed., India’s Foreign Policy: Retrospect and Prospect, New Delhi, Oxford, 2010.
V.P. Dutt, India’s Foreign Policy in a Changing World, New Delhi, 1999.
Y.M. Bammi, India-Bangladesh Relations: The Way Ahead, New Delhi, United Service Institute of India.

b) Web Links:-