India and Bangladesh relations got a major boost following the signing of two agreements, an extradition treaty and a liberalised visa agreement between the two neighbouring countries. The two agreements were the outcome of the meeting between the home ministers of the two countries held in Dhaka in January 2013.
Signing of the two agreements has improved cooperation between the neighbours and brought back momentum in the relationship which was severely affected due to non'signing of the water'sharing agreement of Teesta River and the transit treaty during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh in September 2011.
The extradition treaty will facilitate deportation of wanted criminals hiding or residing in each other's countries. It will allow transfer of convicted and undertrial criminals. It will be applicable for people who are charged with crimes like murders, culpable homicide and other serious offences. People accused of offences of political nature do not fall within the ambit of this treaty. Offenders of small crimes awarded with less than one year of imprisonment also do not fall within the purview the treaty.
Reciprocity is the key for success of any extradition treaty. An extradition treaty enables one country to arrest or even try one individual persons for offences committed in the signatory country. India presently has extradition treaties with 28 nation states. The treaty has brought to light Bangladesh's ardent aspiration to be treated equally
and accept issues that benefit its purpose. Despite India's consistent efforts in expressing its respect to Bangladesh's status as an equal sovereign country, many in Bangladesh feel that India behaves like a big brother and does not give the country its due.
Bangladesh, for long, has been reluctant to sign a bilateral extradition treaty, which India was pressing for. Bangladesh's dilly dally was perceived in India as the country's pressure tactic to demand equal status. Indo'Bangla relations developed significantly in the past few years with much of the credit going to the political leaderships of the two states. Such leaders' efforts have helped in creating an atmosphere of trust which the relationship earlier lacked.
Another important reason for Bangladesh clearing the treaty was that it was mutually beneficial for the two nations. The treaty is important for India as it is expected
to facilitate deportation of United Liberation of Assam (Ulfa) leader Anup Chetia ' a long drawn Indian demand. While Bangladesh needs the treaty to deport two killers of Mujibur Rahman, the first prime minister of Bangladesh and father of present Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Shiekh Hasina, who are believed to be hiding in India. The country is
urging India to arrest and hand over them to Bangladesh. The treaty will also curb cross border crimes, a common problem faced by both nations. Agreement on liberalising
visa will ease visa procedure significantly. The treaty is likely to increase people'topeople contact, a need often expressed by commentators of the Indo'Bangla relations.
The agreement will not only improve trade and business ties, but also significantly reduce the scope of illegal movement of people and thereby, many associated criminal activities. The new agreement introduces multiple entry tourist and medical visa valid up to a year, five years' visas for businessmen, relaxed professional visas and other
concessions for senior citizens and children.
These developments in the Indo'Bangla relations are truly welcoming. The recent developments will have a lasting impact on the bilateral relationship especially with regard to the safety measures support between the two neighbours.
Security collaboration between two countries till now has worked purely on the basis of goodwill ' as a result doubts had been expressed about the future of such support. It is well established that the arrest of Ulfa leader Arabinda Rajkhowa has been possible with Bangladesh's help.
In the absence of an extradition treaty the country could not be given due credit for its help. Signing of the extradition treaty has brought legitimacy to the security cooperation between the two countries.
Signing of the two agreements is just the beginning of a new era of cooperation. Both nations should now work closer to find new areas of mutual aid and means to resolve
longstanding issues mainly Teesta agreement and the transit treaty.
The two countries who have invested in so many steps to improve bilateral relations should not miss this opportunity and should take bold steps in solidifying the relationship.
While India should work on signing the Teesta agreement, a way for which has been smoothened with Mamata Banerjee's withdrawal from the ruling UPA coalition, Bangladesh should reciprocate by allowing transit rights to India.
(The writer is an Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi)
Courtesy: sevensisters.com
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