Editorial
Manmohan Singh begins his second term
Neighbours expectations for good ties grow
A 20-member Indian cabinet led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been sworn in. While India's people look forward enthusiastically to a further strengthening of democracy in the days ahead, India's neighbours hope for more developed and concrete ties with Delhi in the coming years. In one of his early pronouncements, Mr. Singh made it known that his intention was to focus on improving ties with countries in the region. A rejuvenated Manmohan Singh can now look forward to an implementation of that goal in South Asia.
As the predominant power in South Asia, India can certainly play a significant role in the development of regional cooperation through such bodies as SAARC. On a bilateral basis and given the sweeping changes that have been taking place around the globe, India can give itself a boost by moving forward to resolve the issues between it and its neighbours. It is upon a resolution of those issues that closer ties between Delhi and other nations can be forged. The dividends that can accrue from such an approach are easy to foresee. A spirit of generosity on India's part can surely contribute to good neighbourly ties. Where India's relations with Bangladesh are concerned, in terms of specifics, there are certain crucial areas where both Delhi and Dhaka must take a deeper look into the issues.
Of the issues, the question of a sharing of the waters of common rivers surely is of the utmost concern. The Indian authorities, especially at a time when the Tipaimukh dam is a major source of worry for many in Bangladesh, should be able to adopt a positive attitude to the issue. Another issue requiring quick and mutually acceptable resolution is the maritime boundary problem. In the economic area, the trade imbalance between Dhaka and Delhi has been a constant source of worry for the former. It is perhaps time for a fresh new approach and a major breakthrough to be made to the issue. Besides these issues, the vexing question of border skirmishes and the matter of undemarcated frontiers should be a matter of priority for the two governments.
Over the next five years, a spirit of purposeful cooperation should define the ties between Bangladesh and India. Such cooperation, carried on a wave of new expectations in the region, can be symbolic of the broad canvas of regional inter-linking South Asia can truly attain for itself.
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