A great deal of importance attaches to the recent visit to Delhi of Begum Khlaleda Zia, former Prime Minister and at present the leader of the opposition in Bangladesh. For years, the relationship between Delhi and Dhaka has been soured by serious political differences clouding Bangladesh’s attitude to India. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is criticized in some circles in Bangladesh for being pro-India. Zia, leader of the Bangledesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is said to be anti-India. The hostility between the Awami League and the BNP accentuates the divide in relation to India. This has stood in the way of Delhi forming ties with Dhaka on issues of shared interest. Khaleda Zia’s visit to India raises the hope that Manmohan Singh’s effort to build a bridge with Bangladesh will be supported by both the ruling party and the opposition in Bangladesh. Bangladesh goes to the polls at the end of next year. It is possible that the BNP will capture power after that. In Delhi, Zia made it clear that her party was not opposed to strengthening ties with India. Her party will not allow anti-India activities in her country. Since Hasina’s visit in 2010, both countries have been on a mission to improve bilateral relations on water-sharing, boundary settlement, trade and connectivity. Above all, they are both committed to counter terrorism.
Delhi has been hosting leaders of all parties in Bangladesh. H. M. Ershad, former President of Bangladesh came earlier. He will play a big role in elections in Bangladesh next year. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had scuttled the move to sign an agreement on Teesta water-sharing. The land boundary agreement is also being stalled. The new foreign minister of India, Salman Khurshid should make every effort to get over the hurdles. Delhi has to take the initiative in this regard.
