BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

NEPAL-BANGLADESH RELATIONS : RETROSPECT AND PROSPECTS

Author: Madhukar SJB Rana

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/ BIISSj2003v24n3a2

ABSTRACT

The emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state marked a turning point in South Asian history with some specific implications for Nepal. Initially hesitant, Nepal could soon realise that the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent state could increase Nepal's manoeuvrability at the regional level, particularly vis-a-vis India Nepal and Bangladesh have traversed a long way since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1972. Bilateral relations between the two countries are marked by remarkable smoothness. Nonetheless, Nepal and Bangladesh remain far from utilising the enormous potentials for developing mutually beneficial cooperation. As a result, vast potentials for co-operation in a large number of areas, like, Water Resources, Trade, Energy, Environment, Transit, Education, Tourism and. Military and Security, remain unexplored or under-explored. Thus, the relationship is still far from being intense, despite the convergence of interests in the areas of crucial importance. It has been mainly due to the failure of the leadership of the two countries to set the bilateral relationship into proper perspective. Meanwhile, there exists significant convergence of a number of long-term interests of Nepal and Bangladesh paving 'the way for establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries. However, the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries is also likely to face an array of severe difficulties. Keeping this in view, a host of concrete proposals aimed at fostering relations between the two countries in a number of specific areas have been made.