The BJP’s campaign against illegal immigrants from Bangladesh in no way detracts from our oft-stated desire to see friendly and cooperative relations between India and Bangladesh, as befit two countries whose shared past far outweighs certain differences created in recent times. Several considerations of geography, history and development compellingly dictate that India and Bangaldesh establish a new mutually beneficial bilateral relationship between two equal and sovereign partners. Bangladesh is landlocked on three sides by India. Its civilisational, cultural and spiritual history has common roots with India. Indeed, Bangladesh’s destiny is more closely linked with India’s than that of the Middle-East.

Recurring problems like floods, which wreak havoc both in Bangladesh and in India’s North-East, can only be solved through effective regional and sub-regional cooperation. Lastly, the challenge of poverty alleviation and improving the living standards of the teeming millions both in Bangladesh and its surrounding states in India can be effectively met only by integrating the markets, leveraging the natural resources, connecting the infrastructure facilities, and broadening people-to-people contacts.

All this, however, should happen in a legal and well-regulated manner, and with due consideration for mutual security. I do hope that the government of Bangladesh reciprocates India’s wish for friendly relations by agreeing to stop infiltration of its nationals and winding up its policy of giving shelter to several ISI-backed anti-India extremist and terrorist groups. This will go a long way in opening up the doors of a bright new future for our two countries, and for the Indian subcontinent in general.