The High Commissioner began by saying that ideally, relations between India and Bangladesh should have been very strong and vibrant. But he regretted that relations remained at low ebb in the post-1971 period due to a host of barriers. But more formidable than the physical barriers are the ones we create in our minds, the High Commissioner stated with concern.

Striking a positive tone, he said things are now changing for the better as a concerted bilateral initiative is on to remove the barriers and usher in a new era of bonhomie. The High Commissioner termed the recent visit of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010 as a watershed as both sides structured a joint communiqué for the first time to steamroll all lingering barriers. In the same breath, he identified the signing of the historic Ganges Water Treaty by Sheikh Hasina with India in 1996 as one of the initial initiatives at fostering robust Indo-Bangla ties.

Further, there are factors which force Bangladesh and India to stand on the same plane. Both countries are afflicted by the scourge of terrorism, domestic compulsions require both countries to achieve a higher economic growth rate in quick time, and both share a long international border. Therefore, there is no reason why the two neighbours should not forge closer ties, the High Commissioner stated emphatically.

Identifying the border dispute between the two countries as a formidable barrier, he said this long border is porous and several stretches are not demarcated. Adverse possessions on both sides compound the problem further. And vested interests on either side of the border do not allow the vexed border dispute to be solved, the High Commissioner rued.

Speaking of communication barriers, the High Commissioner said, prior to 1965, unrestrained travel to Pakistani cities like Karachi from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) was possible. Even steamers used to ply regularly to Dhaka from Indian cities of Guwahati and Allahabad. The same road, rail & waterway links exist to this day, but the 1965 Indo-Pak war drew iron curtains on such travel. As a result, people-to-people contact received a body blow, regretted the High Commissioner. He also admitted that a restrictive visa regime followed by both India and Bangladesh further complicates travel plans of people.

On barriers of trade, the High Commissioner said that the most lucrative market for Bangladesh is situated right next door, that is, India. But restrictions on Indo-Bangla bilateral trade are such that the Indian market literally becomes out of bounds for Bangladeshi traders, forcing them to scout for less lucrative markets elsewhere. The High Commissioner was categorical in stating that the time has come to liberalise this restrictive trade regime. This will not only result in a several million dollar rise in Indo-Bangla trade, but immensely benefit the trading community on both sides of the divide. This is also the dictate of the free market economy that prevails now, added the High Commissioner.

The High Commissioner also spoke on the issue of water-sharing, which always emerges as a big barrier in the way of forging closer Indo-Bangla ties. The debate on sharing river waters always stokes passions on both sides, as no country wishes to part with even minuscule portions of her precious water resources. He said that for several years, there has been no dialogue between India and Bangladesh on the contentious issue of water sharing. But the ice has started to melt now as ministerial level confabulations have begun on the issue and India has also shown the intent to make amends and allow greater concessions to Bangladesh, stated the High Commissioner. He also informed that the discourse on sharing of river waters shall soon assume a trilateral character with Nepal all set to join India and Bangladesh in the process. This shall have positive ramifications, asserted the High Commissioner.

The High Commissioner stated that India & Bangladesh are lagging behind on several economic parameters and need to spruce up their infrastructure for higher economic growth. He cited the power crisis in both countries as a case in point and said the ever rising energy demand can only be addressed through joint ventures by both countries in the energy sector. But the perennial attitude of looking at its neighbour with suspicion will not take India and Bangladesh anywhere, the High Commissioner warned. Citing a few positives in this regard though, the High Commissioner informed that in their latest bilateral dialogues, India and Bangladesh have agreed in principle to reopen all the communication links of road, rail and water that existed prior to 1965. The High Commissioner also praised India for providing much-needed credit on generous terms to Bangladesh to build the country’s communication infrastructure.

Speaking of cultural barriers, the High Commissioner said parochialism of the political establishment at one point was such that even the literature of Rabindranath Tagore was banned in Bangladesh. This was a deliberate ploy to erect barriers in the field of culture and vitiate the atmosphere, the High Commissioner inferred. He also threw light on the SAARC experiment and commented that the regional body has failed to take off smoothly mainly due to mistrust among member countries, including India and Bangladesh.

The High Commissioner cautioned that global warming and climate change are emerging as our common enemies in present times and efforts in isolation by individual nations to tame them shall prove to be futile. Therefore, both India and Bangladesh should join hands in right earnest to tackle the twin problems, he suggested.

The High Commissioner signed off on an optimistic note by saying that the tone and tenor of Indo-Bangla bilateral discourse has changed in recent times and this relationship can safely be expected to stand on a higher plane in coming days following the attitudinal changes.

(Below is an excerpt of the opinions expressed by the High Commissioner on various issues during the interactive session)

VISA REGIME: The visa regime is indeed obtrusive and a restrictive visa regime always comes in the way of greater people-to-people contact. Restricting travel on trivial security grounds is uncalled for and correctional measures need to be taken to remove despondency which marks the visa regime now.

EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES: Educational exchange programmes are being encouraged by both countries. Both Indian and Bangladeshi students have gone to the other country for studies in different fields upon securing educational scholarships.

CROSS-BORDER INFILTRATION: Infiltration stems from economic factors like poverty & lack of sustainable livelihood opportunities. Unless compelled by circumstances, no human being wishes to part with their motherland to settle and die in an alien land. Therefore, the solution lies in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the deprived sections and of those residing in the border areas.

FRIENDSHIP TREATIES: The days of friendship treaties are over as promises made on paper may fail to withstand the present global forces. Countries should instead go for pragmatic workable arrangements which can be sustained and are in sync with present global trends.

Focus Speaker: Shri HK Deka, IPS (Retd), Former DGP, Assam

Focus Speaker: Dr NG Mahanta, Head, Peace & Conflict Studies Centre, Gauhati University

Focus Speaker: Dr Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Reader, Department of Political Science, Gauhati University

Focus Speaker: Shri Abhijit Sharma, Faculty, Indian Institute of Bank Management

Intense discussion among everyone present was seen in every session.

• It is a more difficult task for the government to talk peace and end a conflict by coming up with an acceptable peace formula than being engaged in a routine counter-insurgency operation. Now that almost all the insurgent groups are on a ceasefire, the challenge before the Government is much more than before.
• If this is a challenge for the government, it is also a challenge for the militant groups—after all, negotiations itself means working towards an acceptable solution. And, this involves a give and take approach.
• There is a linkage between ethnic aspirations, insurgency and lack of development. Governance has to improve for things to change. If governance improves, frustration among the people will reduce.
• Need for a holistic approach and a close coordination between the government and civil society to bring about development and progress in the area.

• The militant groups and the Government must realize the futility of using violence as a means of solving social, political and economic problems
• Need for corresponding increase in the awareness level of the people in the two districts, irrespective of their ethnicity, social status, political affiliation

• Lack of distributive justice
• Violation of rule of law
• Prevalence of the ‘We’ versus ‘they’ syndrome
  

• The challenge is how to work out a solution that lasts, a solution that can satisfy the hopes and aspirations of the people and at the same time something which the Government can actually agree to and give.

• All militant groups in the two districts are now on a ceasefire. There cannot be any better scenario than this to start work towards making peace in the area.
  
• The main challenge is of governance, and civil societies can contribute their bit in improving governance. After all, the people who rule the two districts are their own people and they must therefore be held accountable to the people.
  

• Root causes of insurgency in the districts are a deep sense of insecurity among the tribal people, fear of losing their culture, fear of losing jobs and fear of losing their land to the outsiders
• The political and economic aspirations of the Karbis and the Dimasas need to be addressed but there is a need to balance their demands against the genuine concerns of other tribal communities
• For permanent peace in the hills, some significant steps have to be taken:
• i) spread of education,
  ii) proper utilization of resources
  iii) professional training
  iv) a new policy of land and agriculture
  v) eradication of corruption
  vi) creation of people’s awareness to generate a work culture and
  vii) industrialization
  
• Government has to be more proactive and solve the problems of insurgent groups. The delay in the peace process can adversely affect the society.
• Need to understand the sentiments of the tribal people
• Corruption and lack of education are the main problems faced by the tribal people in the districts. Government must understand the practical problems of the people in order to find out a solution.
  

• Ethnic division is not a new issue. Formation of an ‘ethnic council’ can be considered and the government must give authority and financial power to the people
• The major problem that remains is the nomenclature of “Dimaraji”. A neutral name as “Hasao” could be suggested for NC Hills district.
• Create a permanent body or organization comprising representatives from all ethnic groups to bridge the ethnic divide or conflict in the districts
  

• Statehood – a prime demand of all the insurgent groups in the region
• Statehood may not be fruitful due to the over centralized nature of the Indian federalism
• The grievances of the tribal people must be heard in the Parliament. Without statehood, the problems of the people will not be heard. So it is necessary to form a state.
• By providing statehood to the hill districts, government can solve majority of the problems. The wrong notion that tribals cannot run the administration smoothly has to be discarded.
• A united statehood can be thought about by elevating the two hill districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills.

• Autonomy in the form of self-governance and self decision-making should have made the people prosperous and development should have reached the remotest corners of the district. But, this has not taken place.
• Two reasons for failure of the Autonomous Council are inefficiency and corruption of the leaders and the inherent defects in the Council itself
• Lack of awareness among the common people regarding the flow of funds allocated especially for them and gross anomalies and misappropriation of funds. Awareness camps will have to be held to educate the villagers on the inflow and use of funds for development work in their areas so that any misuse or diversion of fund could be detected easily by the villagers themselves
• To ensure that the development funds are properly utilized, setting up of a liaison cell comprising Council and civil society members can be thought of. There is need for imparting training to the members of the Councils on administration.
• To root out or halt the level of corruption, the Right to Information Act should be used to the fullest extent especially by the student and youth organizations. RTI Act should be explained to the villagers so that they may take full advantage of it.
  

• Three spheres in which development can be seen:
  i) Availability – Physical and Manpower
  ii) Ability
  iii) Accountability
• The village councils under the autonomous councils could be made part of the governing structure of the autonomous councils.
• It is found that only accountability increases the ability of the system to deliver and only then there can be genuine development
• The setting up of a liaison body of Council members and civil society leaders to keep track of the allotment and utilization of development funds in the districts should be effective in ensuring transparency in development works.
  

• Since all the militant groups in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong have entered into a ceasefire, a congenial atmosphere has been created to start peace dialogue between the rebel groups and the Government. To demonstrate its sincerity in taking the peace process to its logical conclusion, the Government must put the negotiation process on fast-track and move ahead without delay in holding talks with all militant groups. The Government must come out with a time-bound action plan to carry forward the peace process to a logical conclusion.

• In working out a solution to the problems in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong, the Government must ascertain the views of all communities and groups, including women, who live in these districts, particularly on common issues. This will help the Government and the dialoguing groups to work out a lasting solution that addresses the hopes and aspirations of all the people living in the area.

• Ceasefire between the militant groups and the Government has ushered in peace in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong. The Government must ensure that a common yardstick is applied to all militant groups on the step-by-step approach to dialogue although solutions can be different. Applying different yardstick to different militant groups should be avoided, at least till the stage is set for working out a formula for solution to the problems.

• Civil society groups in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong should try and form a non-political common platform of all ethnic groups and other people in the districts which would work towards ethnic unity and common approach to progress and development of the area and its people.

• Failure of the state to provide good governance has created a void that is being filled in by militant groups. Good governance, therefore, is of utmost importance.

• Setting up of a liaison body of Autonomous Council members and civil society leaders to keep track of allocation and utilization of development funds in the districts. This can be a non-political monitoring and liaison mechanism between the Councils and the people.

• Considering that development is the need of the hour in North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong, the village councils under the Autonomous District Councils must be activated to further decentralize power in the area.

• Resolve to build a team of activists drawn from different committees and background to make maximum use of the Right to Information (RTI) Act to empower the common man to fight corruption. This will also help better utilization of funds.