India and Bangladesh
The Bangladesh-India political relationship draws from their once shared histories. As part of the larger Indian sub-continent, Bangladesh-India relations are not viewed separately until 1947 with the partition of India. Pursuant to this, Bangladesh-India shared a common political history that separates only because of the high concentration of Muslim citizens in East Bengal. The history of their political relations under the separate Bangladesh-India nations naturally begins with the Bangladesh liberation in 1971. Bangladesh-India political relations have remained civil, especially when the secular Awami League controls Bangladesh, but some points of contention have risen in the last 40 years.
After the partition of India, the Muslim nation of Pakistan–comprised of East Bengal (later East Pakistan) and Pakistan–began to split over several political issues. The formation of benevolent Bangladesh-India relations started with the pronouncement that East Pakistan would become a sovereign Bangladesh. India supported their liberation, sending troops and supplies to aid in their efforts. Bangladesh became an independent nation in 1972 and a Bangladesh-India political agreement was signed.
Following the liberation, Bangladesh-India relations centered around their shared political beliefs and an Indian pledge to not meddle with the internal affairs of the now independent Bangladesh. The leaders of Bangladesh and India, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi respectively, swapped visits to illustrate a shared peace.
There have been some confrontations that threatened the Bangladesh-India political relations. Most of these have dealt with disagreements regarding resources and borders. One recent political liability between the two nations arose from killings at the Bangladesh-India border. Individuals trying to cross the border illegally often get intercepted by Indian border patrols. Many of these individuals are citizens of Bangladesh and the handling of these individuals by Indian forces causes some disagreement.
Disagreements over water supply has been another major political issue. Although treaties have been signed regarding the shared possession of these resources, Bangladesh claims that irrigation practices in West Bengal causes further flooding during monsoon season and a lesser amount during the dry season. Looking forward it appears that this issue will remain contentious but not threaten the overall Bangladesh-India political relationship.
A recent political milestone reached between India and Bangladesh came from a series of attacks from several terrorist camps working out of both countries. Rather than blaming one another, both nations ventured to create a unified front against the terrorist forces.
Bangladesh will always feel a certain amount of gratitude and respect for India because of their help during the liberation movement. Also, their shared histories tend to link Indian and Bangladeshi citizens more than normal bordering countries. With this in mind, it would appear the Bangladesh-India political relationship will endure their disagreements.