Former caretaker government Advisers and economists say that the gains to Bangladesh from the Indian Prime Minister�s visit are not clear as the details of the deals, memorandum of understandings and
protocols, have not been divulged
A view of Modis visit that says Indias gains are clear, Bangladeshs not
MAK Jilany
During the Dhaka visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a total of 22 deals, protocols and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two countries. None of the two countries gave details about most of the deals, especially the connectivity or transit and the loan deal.
Bangladesh granted India transit, agreed to let it use Mongla and Chittagong ports and also agreed to allocate land for a special economic zone (SEZ) for India. Against all these what Bangladesh gained is not clear.
Analysing the 22 deals, MOUs and protocols it was found that the land boundary issue was supposed to be resolved 41 years ago. But it was resolved during the visit of Narendra Modi. The long-awaited Teesta deal was not signed. Only verbal commitment was made. The trade deal was renewed. The transit deal was also signed. But details of these were not made public.
The two countries signed MOUs on an Indian loan, use of the Mongla and Chittagong ports by India and a special economic zone for India at Bheramara in Kushtia. None of the two countries divulged details of these deals.
Though the economic gain India was making from the Modi visit was clear, what economic benefit Bangladesh was reaping from India was not clear. The loan India is extending to Bangladesh will likely be used for development of transit-related infrastructure for use of that country.
When asked about granting India the transit facility and also allowing the country to use the Mongla and Chittagong ports before the Modi visit, foreign secretary Md Shahidul Huq told thereport24.com, There is not a single word about transit in the Modi visit agenda. And I have noticed nothing about allowing India to use the Mongla or Chittagong port.
Just on the eve of the Modi visit, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali told the media people, There are decisions about transit and allowing India to use the Mongla and Chittagong ports. But the fees have not been fixed. It will be decided later.
Economist and former caretaker government adviser Mirza Azizul Islam told thereport24.com, It has been said on Modi visit that Bangladesh will be able to use Indian territories for direct trade with Nepal and Bhutan. It is not clear. If the trade imbalance is to be reduced, the non-tariff barriers have to be dismantled. But we did not hear of any discussion about this. A MOU has been signed between the standards and testing organisations of the two countries to maintain the standard of goods. It is also incomplete. If the loan is like that granted before and India decides on the prices and the procurement under the loan is made from that country, then that loan will not benefit us. Modi in his speech mentioned the duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi goods to India. The facility was there earlier also. There is nothing new. Overall, how far we will be benefited will be clear if we follow up these in future.
Economist and former caretaker government adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman told thereport24.com, The Modi visit can be divided into two partswhat Bangladesh gained politically and economically from this visit. Politically there has been much headway in the bilateral ties. But from the economic point of view India is benefited and it is clear. But the economic benefit of Bangladesh is not clear.
Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said, India needs only connectivity with Bangladesh. India needs it, because India aspires for controlling or sharing this big market in Bangladesh. Here the interest of Bangladesh is not clear. The Indian investors got their benefit from the Modi visit, but the Bangladeshi investors did not. For India a special economic zone is being created, but there was no decision about the land the Bangladeshi investors sought in India.
The shipping protocol has done favour to India. On the other hand, the Indian Adani and Reliance groups have been allowed to invest in the power sector in Bangladesh. It has been done in the quick rental style.
No question can be raised about that. Despite the environmentalists concerns, an agreement has been signed on the Rampal power plant near a sensitive area like the Sundarbans. Mr Modi should do it on receipt of more details about it. It is not understandable why the power plant has to be built at Rampal only near the Sundarbans.
He also said, It is not clear what benefit Bangladesh will make by allowing India to use the Mongla and Chittagong ports. Again we got commitment about the Teesta water sharing. No decision was taken. The Indian loan is a political stunt. For, the Indian loan will be used for serving their (India) purpose. There has been no decision on the non-tariff barriers to reduce the trade deficit. There is no transparency relating to these issues. So, the deals are not made public.
Economist and Dhaka University teacher Dr Abul Barakat told thereport24.com, I have not yet received any details of the deals. So, I cannot make any comment. But if the neighbour is powerful, you have to proceed on carefully. A powerful country always shows a big brotherly attitude to the less powerful neighbour.
He also said, Earlier during the Dhaka visit of Pranab Mukherjee he gave Bangladesh Tk 100 crore. But that was the suppliers credit that means the money will be used as decided by India. India will fix the prices of raw materials to be procured for development work under the loan and the raw materials will have to be procured from India. Dr Abul Barakat said, It is doubtful how far those who are elated about this have seen or understood the deals or MOUs or protocols. In the 1980s pens were made in Bangladesh under credit from India. Later it was found that the price of a pen that was Tk 1.0 just doubled.
During the Dhaka visit Narendra Modi said, The world will analyse the visit very closely. They will measure it by a measuring stickwhat Bangladesh gained and what lost. In a word I can say people earlier thought we were beside Bangladesh. But now the world will admit we are beside Bangladesh and we are also with Bangladesh. We will go ahead together with Bangladesh, because, our relationship with Bangladesh is not only political but also emotional.
thereport24.com
