| Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Lokpal and Lokayukta

Mains level: Read the attached story

The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed the Kerala Lok Ayukta (Amendment) Bill on August 30, amid a boycott.

Who are Lokpal-Lokayuktas?

The Lokpal-Lokayukta issue has always generated intense debate in the country.
In fact, this term was first used in a report of the Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Morarji Desai as far back as in 1966.
Political corruption had become rampant by then and it was thought that a credible system of an ombudsman should be established to redress public grievances against the leaders and public officials.
The first Bill on Lokpal was introduced in the Lok Sabha in 1968 which lapsed with the dissolution of the House.
Anna Hazare’s movement and the active involvement of civil society generated a lot of moral pressure on the Government which ultimately led to the passing of the Bill in 2013.

Composition of Lokpal

The Lokpal is no ordinary investigative body.
It is headed by the incumbent Chief Justice of India or a retired judge.
It has eight members, four of whom are judicial members.
Thus the whole system is studded with judges or judicial men.
The Lokpal has an inquiry wing and a prosecution wing to deal with investigation and prosecution, respectively.
The director of prosecution files the case in the special court based on the findings of the Lokpal.

Who falls under the ambit of Lokpal?

The Lokpal has jurisdiction to inquire into allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Group A, B, C and D officers and officials of the central government.
After the conclusion of the investigation, the Lokpal may file a case in the special court in case the findings disclose the commission of offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act by the PM, Ministers or MPs.
However, the Lokpal does not have the power to ask the President to remove the Prime Minister or a Minister from office.

What about the states?

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act delegates the power to States to establish by law the Lokayukta to deal with complaints relating to corruption against public functionaries.
Some States already have established Lokayuktas. For example, Maharashtra in 1971, and Kerala in 1999.

What is the Keralan controversy?

In order to get a clearer perspective on the Kerala Lokayukta controversy, it is necessary to understand the scheme of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act enacted by Parliament.
The long title of the Act says: “An Act to provide for the establishment of a body of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries….”
Thus, the Lokpal is conceived of as a body which will inquire into allegations of corruption.
It is basically an investigative body whose task is to conduct prompt and fair investigation and the prosecution of cases of corruption.

Issues with the Amendment

The amendments were related to the competent authority to consider Lok Ayukta recommendations.
In the case of any unfavourable decision from the Lok Ayukta against the CM, the competent authority will now be the Legislative Assembly instead of the Governor as is prescribed in the existing Act.
The amendment tries to take away at the powers of the Governor.
The Lokayukta has indirectly expressed its resentment over the attempt to take away some of its powers.

Arguments by Kerala Government

The Government, on the other hand, claims that through the amendment, a provision in the original Act which is unconstitutional has been excised.
Earlier it gave power to the Lokayukta to give directions to the Governor to remove a CM or a Minister on being found guilty of corruption.
This meant that the Lokayukta was to be over and above the office of Governor.

Legal and constitutional implications

Two important points need to be made here:

(A) Overpowering the Lokpal

One, an investigative body does not have the legal authority to direct the public servant to resign his post on the basis of its findings.
It can only submit its findings to the competent authority or, as is provided in the Lokpal Act, file a case in the special court.
The Lokayukta is basically an investigative body with certain powers to carry out an investigation into cases relating to the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The only special feature of this body is that it is headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
But that does not alter the basic character of the Lokayukta as an investigative body.

(B) Compulsion on Governor

The Chief Minister or a Minister holds office during the pleasure of the Governor (Article 164).
The Constitution of India does not contemplate any external pressure on the Governor to withdraw his pleasure.
The Sarkaria Commission had suggested that the Governor can dismiss a Chief Minister only when he loses his majority in the Assembly and refuses to step down.
The Supreme Court has accepted this recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.
Another occasion when the Governor could withdraw his pleasure is on account of CM having been convicted in a criminal case and sentenced to not less than two years of imprisonment.
In other words, a Chief Minister cannot be asked to resign when he enjoys a majority in the House.
The Governor, being a high constitutional authority, cannot be compelled by a law to act in a particular manner so far as his constitutional duties and functions are concerned.

Way forward

The Kerala Lokayukta Act should be re-examined by a committee of the Assembly and should be brought on a par with the Lokpal Act.
Legislation that seeks to punish corrupt functionaries should be placed above controversies.

Back2Basics: Lokpal Movement

The Lokpal, the apex body to inquire and investigate graft complaints against public functionaries, came into being with the appointment of its chairperson and members in March 2019.
In March 2019, former SC judge Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was selected as the first head of the Lokpal.

Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013

The Lokpal Act 2013 is anti-corruption legislation that seeks to provide for the establishment of the institution of Lokpal.
It seeks to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain important public functionaries including the PM, cabinet ministers, MPs, Group A officials of the Central Government, etc.
The Bill was introduced in the parliament following massive public protests led by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and his associates.
The Bill is one of the most widely discussed and debated Bills in India in recent times.

Its history

The term Lokpal was coined in 1963 by Laxmi Mall Singhvi, a member of parliament during a parliamentary debate about grievance mechanisms.
The Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) headed by Morarji Desai submitted an interim report on “Problems of Redressal of Citizen’s Grievances” in 1966.
In this report, ARC recommended the creation of two special authorities designated as ‘Lokpal’ and ‘Lokayukta’ for a redress of citizens’ grievances.
Maharashtra was the first state to introduce Lokayukta through The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act in 1971.

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ISRO tests system recoverable rocket ‘Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD)’

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD)

Mains level: Not Much

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully tested a technology that could aid the cost-effective recovery of spent rocket stages and safely land payloads on other planets.

What is IAD?

IAD is a technique used for an atmospheric entry payload.
An inflatable envelope and an inflatant (anything that inflates the envelope, like air or helium) make up the inflatable aerodynamic decelerator.
While entering the atmosphere, it inflates like a balloon and decelerates the lander.
The inflatant is designed to fill the inflatable envelope to a condition such that it surrounds the payload meant to enter the atmosphere of a planet or satellite and causes aerodynamic forces to slow it down.
In simpler words, IAD is designed to increase drag upon entering the atmosphere of any planetary body, like Earth, Mars, or even Moon.
Its shape is maintained by a closed, gas-pressured body and the inflatant gas is also generated internally. Some versions also use ram air or both.

How significant is this IAD?

Some space agencies, including NASA, have already successfully tested advanced versions of the technology, including the supersonic and hypersonic variants.
However, for near future missions of ISRO, the current version that it tested is perfect.
Its use was first proposed by NASA more than 50 years ago for planetary entries.

Minuscule of ISRO’s IAD

The IAD tested by ISRO was inflated at an altitude of around 84 km and the sounding rocket’s cargo dropped through the atmosphere on it.
It is fitted with a booster motor. It also has a spin rocket that is ejectable.
The inflatable structure is made out of Kevlar fabric, which is a very strong synthetic fibre and also heat resistant to withstand atmospheric pressure and temperature changes.
On top of it, it’s coated with polychloroprene, an oil and wax resistant rubber, to withstand extreme temperatures.
In the inflation system, it uses compressed nitrogen stored in a bottle.
It has consistently decreased the payload’s velocity through aerodynamic drag while maintaining the expected trajectory during the test flight.

Where does ISRO intend to use it?

The IAD will help ISRO in performing many space tasks effectively including recovery of spent stages of rockets, for landing payloads on missions to other planetary bodies.
This is the first instance where an IAD has been specially created for spent stage recovery.
So inter-planetary missions are certainly one aspect that ISRO wishes to explore.

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India’s first Dark Sky Reserve to come up in Ladakh

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Dark Sky Reserve

Mains level: Not Much

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced the setting up of India’s first dark sky reserve at Hanle in Ladakh in the next three months.

What is a Dark Sky Reserve?

A dark-sky reserve is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory that is kept free of artificial light pollution.
The purpose of a dark sky preserve is generally to promote astronomy.
Because different national organizations have worked independently to create their programs, different terms have been used to describe the areas.

How is it designated?

A dark sky reserve is a designation given to a place that has policies in place to ensure that a tract of land or region has minimal artificial light interference.
The International Dark Sky Association is a US-based non-profit that designates sites as international dark sky places, parks, sanctuaries and reserves, depending on the criteria they meet.
Several such reserves exist around the world but none so far in India.

Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle

Hanle, which is about 4,500 metres above sea level, hosts telescopes and is regarded as one of the world’s most optimal sites for astronomical observations.
However, ensuring that the site remains well-suited for astronomy implies keeping the night sky pristine, or ensuring minimal interference to the telescopes from artificial light sources such as electric lights and vehicular lights from the ground.
The site will have activities to help in boosting local tourism and economy through interventions of science and technology.

The Himalayan Chandra Telescope, High Energy Gamma Ray Telescope, Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment Telescope and GROWTH-India are the prominent telescopes located at the Hanle observatory.

Ideal conditions in India

The Indian Astronomical Observatory, the high-altitude station of the IIA, is situated to the north of Western Himalayas, at an altitude of 4,500 metres above mean sea level.
Located atop Mt. Saraswati in the Nilamkhul Plain in the Hanle Valley of Changthang, it is a dry, cold desert with sparse human population.
The cloudless skies and low atmospheric water vapour make it one of the best sites in the world for optical, infrared, sub-millimetre, and millimetre wavelengths.

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Regional Benches of Supreme Court

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Executive & Judiciary

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Article 130, Circuit Court

Mains level: Judicial accessibility

TN Chief Minister yet again reiterated the State’s request for establishing a Regional Bench of the Supreme Court in Chennai and allowing Tamil to be used in the Madras High Court as one of its official languages.

Why in news?

Outgoing Vice President, M Venkaiah Naidu suggested bifurcation of the Supreme Court into four regional benches for speedy disposal of cases.
However, the Supreme Court has maintained on previous occasions that there is no need for such benches outside Delhi.

Why the Supreme Court is located in New Delhi?

Article 130 of the Constitution of India reads- The Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places, as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.
The law thus provides scope for setting up the Supreme Court in multiple places, subject to the concurrence of the CJI and the President.

Who can establish the SC benches outside New Delhi?

The Supreme Court in Union of India v. S.P. Anand Verdict (2009), held that the Article vests exclusive discretionary powers on the matter with the Chief Justice of India.
It is an enabling provision and if the Chief Justice (after taking relevant factors into account) feels that the Court should sit elsewhere, s/he can seek the President’s approval for it.
No authority can compel the Chief Justice of India to act in a particular way under the Article.

Voices for circuit benches

The Law Commission in its 229th Report had suggested setting up a Constitution Bench of the Court in New Delhi and four other benches in different regions i.e., Northern region in Delhi, Southern region in Chennai/Hyderabad, Easter region in Kolkata and Western region in Mumbai.
However, this idea did not find favour with the Judges of the Supreme Court.

Reasons for having Regional/Circuit Benches

Access to Justice: Many litigants are discouraged to travel to Delhi from far away locations like south or northeast India.

Geographical Constraints: A disproportionately high number of cases filed in the Supreme Court originated in High Courts closer to Delhi. Hence coming up with regional benches will remove this constraint.
Huge pendency of cases: Increased workload on the Supreme Court and at present more than 65,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, and disposal of appeals takes many years.
Reducing Cost of Justice: It is observed that besides travelling to New Delhi, engaging expensive Supreme Court counsel to pursue a case is beyond the means of most litigants.

Advantages of having circuit courts

Promotes Article 39A: It has been pointed out that Article 39A says that the state shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis of equal opportunity.
Remove Geographical Constraints: It is high time we had more benches because in a country as vast as India the litigants have to travel long distances and spend a huge amount of money and energy.
Upholding the spirit of the constitution: Setting up Benches outside Delhi would neither impair unity and integrity nor undermine the importance of the Supreme Court.

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Judicial Reforms

History and debates about ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood - Relations

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Preamble to the Constitution

Mains level: Not Much

The Supreme Court will hear a petition filed by former MP Dr Subramanian Swamy, seeking the removal of the words “Socialist” and “Secular” from the preamble of the Indian Constitution.

Why in news?

The petitioners in two similar cases have argued that these words were never intended to be in the Constitution and that such insertion is beyond the amending power of the Parliament under Article 368.
Similar petitions have been filed earlier too and given rise to debates around the preamble and the role it plays in the Constitution.

How did these words come?

The two terms were inserted into the preamble as part of the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1976 during the Emergency imposed by then PM Indira Gandhi.

What is the purpose of the Preamble?

A preamble serves as an introduction to a document and contains its basic principles and goals.
When the Indian Constitution was being drafted, the ideals behind the preamble were first laid down in the Objectives Resolution, adopted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947.
These ideals emerged out of the numerous debates that took place during the drafting of the Constitution.

Initially, the Preamble said:

“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

And to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”

Nature of the preamble

The Constitution was the product of democratic deliberations and decided upon by the people of India themselves in the wake of freedom from colonial rule.
The ideals mentioned here were at the core of the newly democratic nation.
During the Constituent Assembly debates, many suggestions were put forth — including that God should be invoked in the preamble as in the Irish constitution, that Mahatma Gandhi’s name should be included, etc.

Is it a part of the Constitution?

The question of whether the preamble is a part of the Constitution or simply an introduction has been deliberated upon by the highest court.
This is because the meaning and weight of the objectives mentioned in it, such as equality of status and opportunity, remained unclear from the perspective of law.
However, in its judgment in the famous LIC case of 1995, the Supreme Court said and the Preamble of the Constitution which is an integral part and scheme of the Constitution, affirming its position as part of the Constitution.
Additionally, the violation of any principle mentioned in the preamble cannot be a reason to go to court, meaning the preamble is “non-justiciable”.
However, judgments of courts can cite it as an additional factor in their reasoning, given that it constitutes the spirit of the Constitution.

How else has the preamble been debated earlier?

In 2020 a ruling MP has moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha seeking to remove the word socialism from the preamble.
It said, that the earlier party which ruled the country for seven decades has changed its direction from being socialist to welfare to neo-liberalism.
Its new liberal policies adopted in the 1990s have negated its own earlier positions.
Earlier in 2015, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting used an image of the preamble of the Indian Constitution without the words “socialist” and “secular”, leading to some criticism.

What is the right-wing narrative?

These words were added during the Emergency. Now what is the harm if there is a debate on it?
In 2008, the Supreme Court rejected a plea demanding the removal of ‘socialist’.
The apex court asked-Why do you take socialism in a narrow sense defined by Communists?
In a broader sense, it means welfare measures for the citizens. It is a facet of democracy, said the Court.
It hasn’t got any definite meaning. It gets different meanings in different times.

Under what circumstances was the preamble amended?

Over her years in government, Indira Gandhi had attempted to cement her approval among the masses on the basis of a socialist and pro-poor image with slogans such as “garibi hatao” (Eradicate poverty).
The 42nd Amendment to the Constitution, passed in 1976 when the Emergency was in place, replaced the words “sovereign democratic republic” with “sovereign socialist secular democratic republic”.
It also changed “unity of the nation” to “unity and integrity of the nation”.

Were ‘Secular’ and ‘Socialist’ debated before Independence?

During the debates in the Constituent Assembly, members such as K T Shah and Brajeshwar Prasad had raised the demand to add these words to the preamble.
However, Dr B R Ambedkar argued: What should be the policy of the State, how the Society should be organised in its social and economic side are matters which must be decided by the people themselves according to time and circumstances.
It cannot be laid down in the Constitution itself because that is destroying democracy altogether.

Is it inclusive of the Constitution?

Indeed, many principles affirming secularism and socialism were contained in the Constitution originally, such as in the Directive Principles of State Policy that is meant to guide the government in its actions.
Some examples are provisions related to the “equitable distribution of material resources of the community for the common good”, and protecting the rights of workers.
Similarly, in the fundamental rights that allow the freedom to profess and propagate one’s religion, as well as in the government policies that recognize religious occasions across communities, an Indian version of secularism is followed.
Unlike western secularism which strictly separates the state and religion, the Indian state has over the years acknowledged and involved itself in matters related to all religions.

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Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

Martand Temple in Kashmir

Prelims Only | History and Art & Culture | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Martand Sun Temple

Mains level: Not Much

In May this year, some pilgrims offered prayers inside the Martand Temple, an Archaeological Survey of India-protected (ASI) monument

About Martand Sun Temple

The Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu temple located near the city of Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley.
It dates back to the eighth century AD and was dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity.
The temple was destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri in a bid to undertake mass conversion and execution of Hindus in the valley.
According to Kalhana, the Temple was commissioned by Lalitaditya Muktapida in the eighth century AD.
The temple is built on top of a plateau from where one can view whole of the Kashmir Valley.
From the ruins the visible architecture seems to be blended with the Gandharan, Gupta and Chinese forms of architecture.

Why in news now?

According to ASI, prayers are allowed at its protected sites only if they were “functioning places of worship” at the time it took charge of them.
No religious rituals can be conducted at non-living monuments where there has been no continuity of worship when it became an ASI-protected site.

What are the living/non-living monument?

If some activity, like any kind of worship, has been going on for years in the structure, then it is taken over as a living monument.
But where no activity has taken place, say an abandoned building, then it is declared a dead monument.
The latter is difficult to restore because it is generally covered by a lot of overgrowth.
The best-known example of a living ASI monument is the Taj Mahal in Agra, where namaz is held every Friday.

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Land Reforms

What is Kurki, and why is it a big issue in Punjab?

Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Agriculture and related issues

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Kurki

Mains level: Not Much

A farmer in Punjab has committed suicide outside the office of the Muktsar DC against kurki orders for his land based on a court case filed against him by the local moneylender for defaulting on loan payment.

What is Kurki?

Kurki means attachment of a farmer’s land, already pledged to the money lending institution or individual, in case of a loan default.
Apart from banks, private moneylenders, commission agents also get these decrees against farmers from time to time.

How is kurki executed?

Kurki orders are executed under Section 60 of Civil Procedure Code, 1908.
The land which is pledged by the farmer to the bank or money lender gets registered in their name. In some cases, the land is auctioned as well.
The process begins after the money lender moves court to get kurki orders in case the farmer is unable to pay back his loan.
In kurki, attachment of farmer’s land as well as his tractor can be done as per the Section 60.

Was kurki not banned in Punjab?

Both Akali Dal and Congress governments of the past have claimed to have banned kurki.
Congress fought the 2017 Assembly polls on the slogan ‘karza kurki khatam, fasal di poori rakam’.
Soon after winning polls in 2017, the then government abolished Section 67-A of Punjab Cooperative Societies Act that enabled cooperatives to recover unpaid loans through auctioning of land mortgaged by farmers.
However, Section 63-B, 63-C of the Act were not dropped to prevent attachment of land.
Former Punjab CM has also claimed that kurki was abolished by his government. Activists accuses governments of issuing vague orders on the matter.

Why has a total ban on the century-old kurki law not been achieved?

A plea filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2018 sought complete ban on kurki.
However, the Punjab government in its affidavit stated that there was no need to ban kurki as relief was being given to farmers in terms of loan waiver, compensation etc.
Moreover, it stated that Section 60 of Civil Procedure Code, 1908 – under which kurki takes place — was over 110 years old and needed complete revision.

What is the ground reality?

Farmers point out that they are made to give post-dated cheques for loan, which are then used to get arrest orders issued in cheque bounce cases.
They have also accused money lenders of using pronotes signed by them to get kurki orders.
“Pro-notes” (promissory notes) are written documents taken from farmers, and signed by them at the time of giving the loan.
In April 2022, over 2,000 arrest warrants were issued against farmers for non-payment of loans to cooperative societies and Punjab agriculture development banks.

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Indian Navy Updates

Exercise Vostok-22

Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Vostok 2022

Mains level: India-Russia Relations

Russia is holding Vostok exercises. However, India has only sent its army contingent of the 7/8 Gorkha Rifles, and will not take part in the maritime section of the two-part event.

Vostok-2022

It is an annual, multilateral, strategic and command exercise hosted by Russia.
This year it will see the participation of more than 50,000 troops from 13 countries such as India, China, Algeria, India, Laos, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Syria and many more.
While the exercises in Vostok-2022 are routine, they are the first such multilateral exercises to be held since the Russian war in Ukraine began.

Why in news now?

India has only sent its army contingent and will not take part in the maritime section of the two-part event.
This is because the maritime part of the exercises would be held in the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan.
These are near the disputed South Kuril Islands.
India’s decision not to take part in the naval exercises is believed to be in deference to Tokyo’s sensitivities.

What does India’s participation mean?

By sending an army contingent to join Russian and Chinese troops in the exercises at this time, New Delhi is aiming to send a four-pronged message:

Continuing relationship with Russia despite the Ukraine war: The Modi government has decided not to join the Western sanctions regime, or to curb oil imports and other economic engagement with Moscow.
Signal balance and non-alignment in the current crisis: India has mostly abstained from votes at the United Nations seeking to criticise Russia.
India also takes part in routine Indo-Pacific exercises: This is with its Western partners including the Quad, as well as in bilateral exercises, like the India-US Ex. Yudh Abhyas.
Willingness to conditional engagement with China: The message the government continues to give is that it is willing to engage with China on a number of fronts, even as military talks at LAC (Line of Actual Control) remain stuck.

Conclusion

There might be some discomfort for Indian soldiers in dealing with their counterparts at a time when they are facing each other off along the LAC.
But that’s a small price to pay if it means keeping India-Russia ties on an even keel.
India needs to start communicating its intent better.
Strategic communication is an art. It’s time to master it.

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Foreign Policy Watch: India-Bangladesh

India Bangladesh Relations

op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: NA

Mains level: bilateral ties

Context

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s four-day visit to India to boost bilateral ties.

India-Bangladesh ties background

India’s links with Bangladesh are civilization, cultural, social and economic.
There is much that unites the two countries – a shared history and common heritage, linguistic and cultural ties, passion for music, literature and the arts.
India was one of the first countries, along with Bhutan, to recognise Bangladesh as a sovereign state on 6 December 1971.
It is also worth recalling that India shares its longest border of 4,096.7 kilometres with Bangladesh, which is also the fifth-longest border in the contemporary world.

Trade between two

CEPA: Trade will be a focal point during Ms. Hasina’s visit as the two countries gear up to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Bangladesh dependency: Bangladesh imports critical industrial raw material from India on which its exports are reliant.
Leveraging Indian support: Bangladesh also could improve several manufacturing industries by leveraging Indian expertise in service sectors.

Connectivity

IMT highway: Bangladesh has expressed its interest in joining the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway project.
Waterway: India-Bangladesh bilateral waterway trade will get boosted as India can now use the Mongla and Chittagong ports.
Logistics: India’s Northeast and Bangladesh is important for bilateral cooperation. Currently, three express trains and international bus services operate between Indian and Bangladesh.

Key data to remember

Bangladesh is India’s sixth largest trade partner with bilateral trade rising from $2.4 billion in 2009 to $10.8 billion in 2020-21.

Regional geopolitics

Chinese influence: Chinese inroads into the neighbourhood have been a cause of worry for India. China has been actively pursuing bilateral ties with Bangladesh. Bangladesh had successfully approached China for a mega project to enhance Teesta river water flow.
Strategic location: From the perspective of India’s Northeast, Bangladesh is India’s most strategic neighbour, whom New Delhi cannot ever afford to ignore.
Cooperation needed: India’s dream of ‘Act East Policy’ can only be materialized with the helping hands of Dhaka.
Gateway to northeast: The bridge ‘Maitri Setu’ has been built over the Feni River which flows between the Indian boundary in Tripura State and Bangladesh. It is set to become the ‘Gateway of North East’ with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is just 80 kms from Sabroom.