Abul Kalam
Dr Abul Kalam is former Chair of the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka. He was also a Visiting Distinguished Japan Foundation Professor at the University of Sindh. He is currently based in London.
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Connectivity, asymmetric ordering, Indian North Eastern States (NES), Bangladesh, mutual antipathy
Abstract
Connectivity refers to the quality of being linked together or able to communicate with one another; it can also imply a lack of connection between people or things. This study uses the theory to investigate the breadth of growing linkages between Bangladesh and the neighbouring Indian NES in order to pinpoint the scope of future problems and the requisite breadth of general remedies. In addition, the study proposes actions that might be taken to improve neighbourly relations within and between regions and sub-regions. This paper’s overarching goal is to shed light on how the above-mentioned conceptual framework may be useful for ranking the connectivity of Bangladesh’s ties with its neighbouring NES. This research uses the connectivities framework outlined above to examine the bridging and separating factors in the relations between Bangladesh and the neighbouring NES. Despite separating factors that emerged during colonial times and the post-colonial partition of India, such connectedness is represented in geographic, ecological, ethnic, historical, and cultural continuities and linkages of all kinds. Colonial and postcolonial experiences created relational imbalances that shattered neighbourliness and strained the harmony between the two groups. However, the spontaneous Indian aid given to Bengalis fleeing the then-East Pakistan to neighbouring states of India during the Bangladesh Liberation War reverberated once again into their shared qualities or symmetrical link. There are still many obstacles to connectedness, such as hierarchical anxiety, co-existential conditions, mutual hostility, and differences in perception.
First Published
September 25, 2015
How to Cite
Abul Kalam, “Bangladesh Ties with India’s North-Eastern States: Challenges of Connectivity,” Regional Studies 33, no.4 (Autumn 2015): 22-46, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/bangladesh-ties-with-indias-north-eastern-states-challenges-of-connectivity/
Issue
Volume 33, Issue 4