NDO-BANGLADESH RELATIONS IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT ROHINGYA CRISIS

The relations between India and Bangladesh have been favorably pleasant with minor ebbs, especially as a result of a common colonial history and shared tales of struggle. On one hand, diplomatic relations since May, 2014 have been marked by positive milestones such as the exchange of enclaves under the revised Land Boundary Agreement, which was due for decades. On the other hand, the sharing of the Teesta waters, is an issue still in limbo, perpetually lacking direction due to India's federal narratives. At the same time, India extended a $4.5 billion credit line for infrastructural projects towards Bangladesh, in an effort to expand its influence amidst rising competition from China. Bangladesh plays a huge role when it comes to India's concerns regarding regional cooperation as both are members of SAARC, BIMSTEC and IORA. However, of all the issues at hand, one particular situation is putting this age-old value of cooperation to the test: The Rohingya situation. The recent crisis emerging as a result of the immense influx of the Rohingyas, fleeing violence in the neighbouring country of Myanmar has caused strains in the IndoBangladesh relations. India's preference towards strategic goals in Myanmar over Bangladesh's humanitarian as well as security concerns is causing Bangladesh to feel slightly insecure and therefore lean towards China as a powerful, veto-gifted neighbour. India has been carrying out Operation Insaniyat to help out Bangladesh in dealing with the influx of Rohingyas by sending relief to Cox's Bazar. However, in comparison to the magnitude of the crisis, India's aid is being considered to be relatively scant by the authorities in Bangladesh. This paper seeks to explore how the international community and especially India can coordinate and cooperate with Bangladesh to deal with what is being considered the biggest refugee crisis of the 21st century. The Research method used involves content analysis of secondary data sources.