Defence deal with India hardly relevant: Analysts

Bangladesh and India share warmer ties than ever before in recent history, but there is a marked lack of trust between the two neighbours, say former diplomats and security analysts.

The long-awaited Teesta water-sharing issue remains unresolved, they told a Prothom Alo roundtable on Monday.

They said discussions regarding the framework of a defence deal have generated heightened interest about the prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s forthcoming trip to India in April.

Speculations are abound in the public mind as to the context of this defence cooperation deal and why it is required at all, the discussants pointed out.

These matters came up for discussion the roundtable on, ‘New dimension to Bangladesh-India relations: Problems and possibilities’ held at the Prothom Alo conference room. It was moderated by Prothom Alo editor Matiur Rahman.

The experts and foreign policy analysts insisted that water management of shared rivers including Teesta, border killings, trade, connectivity and similar issues would have to be resolved on the basis of equity and fairness.

If not, they cautioned, the high expectations created around this visit, would turn to disappointment.

Editor Matiur Rahman said in recent years relations between the two countries were closer than ever before.

However, there were ups and down in the relations between Bangladesh and India. The issue of defence cooperation was on the agenda for talks during prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in April and this has added a new dimension to the relations between the two countries.

Matiur Rahman opened the discussion with the issues of defence, Teesta, trade and the border issues.

Dwelling on the proposed defence cooperation framework, former Bangladesh ambassador to China Ashfaqur Rahman said, “We will strengthen our armed forces as much as possible. Bangladesh’s democratic leadership must have full authority over the army, navy and air force, all the armed forces."

He said that over 40 countries in the world had purchased submarines, so there should be no problem with Bangladesh also procuring these.

After all, he said, “we are not purchasing them with anyone else’s money. We are purchasing them with the hard-earned money of the people from the garment industry, remittances and taxes. This is important for us.”

Ashfaqur Rahman said, “Just as India needs water, so does Bangladesh. Water must be conserved together. That is why Bangladesh is giving importance to the Ganges barrage.”

Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies president, retired major general ANM Muniruzzaman said, “Whether it is a pact or a memorandum of understanding, its implications will be the same.

"It is not clear why there is a need for military cooperation or why India is so insistent about this proposal. So far the Indian media is speaking about joint manufacture. That means certain restrictions will be placed on our procurement. As it is, small states always have certain limitations. We must take this into consideration and keep national interests in mind when we take any steps,” he said.

Muniruzzaman went on to say, “In Nepal’s defence pact with India, purchase of arms from a third country would require discussions at first. India blocked Nepal from purchasing air defence missiles from China.”

He said it was important to see if there would be any such restrictions if Bangladesh enters into any such deal.

Professor of international relations at Dhaka University Amena Mohsin said, India must understand that it needs friends.

"The proposal for this pact will increase the crisis in trust. After all, questions were raised about the clause in the 25-year friendship treaty regarding assistance to be extended if any side was attacked by a third party," she said.

She added that the policymakers must make things clear to India so that the people are not confused about any defence deal and that it does not compound the crisis of trust.

"The prime minister has referred to RAW, which shows her irritation too. She wants to make it clear that Bangladesh is not prepared for such interference," she said.

Former ambassador Shameem Ahmed said, Teesta is a major problem. "The general masses may not understand trade or connectivity, but they understand water sharing. Whether there is defence deal or not, whether it is a memorandum or signed on white paper, the people will be crestfallen if they do not receive water. There is no chance of any Teesta deal on this trip because that is not how a water sharing deal is done. There is no initiative for this here."

Former ambassador major general (retd) Jamil D Ahsan said, “My question is, why has there suddenly been a need for a defence deal? If we are close friendly nations, we can adopt friendly means to address border management, growing threats of militancy and other security risks.  We have always been giving India more. We openly took a stand against their northeast insurgents and handed them over to India. There needs to be extensive discussions at a technical level before any final decision on such technical matters.”

According to Jamil D Ahsan, the defence forces of various countries use all sorts of equipment, electronics, weapon systems, ammunitions, radars. "These can’t be operated with any items and by anybody. These have to be compatible."

Former ambassador Mahmud Hasan said, “What is to happen will only be known after the prime minister’s visit. Our prime minister is the country’s biggest diplomat and so whatever she does will have an impact on the country. She has the power, and it will be seen what she does and what she brings back. The prime minister would be even more powerful if the country didn’t have such divisive politics. India is using this time and again. They can easily give Teesta if they want, but are prevaricating. They are taking advantage of our weakness, because we don’t have a strong parliament.”

Former foreign secretary Hemayet Uddin said there was a big difference between a defence pact and a memorandum of understanding. "If there is to be a defence pact, it must be studied thoroughly. I do not know what the two defence secretaries discussed. I can say this much, there may be an indication or directive so that the two countries will discuss certain matters pertaining to cooperation. The main problem is the lack of trust between two countries. We have to be more realistic about how India views Bangladesh."

Professor of international relations at Dhaka University Lailufar Yasmin said, “Bangladesh is much smaller than India. There have been certain qualitative changes made on principle in relations with the large neighbour. Our negotiating power has increased. It is no longer possible to just force things upon us. India needs a peaceful neighbour.”

According to former foreign secretary Mohammed Touhid Hossain, there is no need for any deal regarding defence.

He said, “If India gets into a war with any of its neighbouring states, will it need Bangladesh’s help? I see no reason for this deal.”

The former foreign secretary saw this memorandum of understanding as absolutely unjustified, remarking, “Perhaps the reason is that India is unhappy with our recent procurement of submarines from China. Maybe there will be an attempt to appease them by purchasing Indian arms.”

Source: Prothom Alo