BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

BANGLADESH-INDIA BORDER HAATS: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Author: Farhad Ahmad, Saleh Shahriar

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2024v45n2a3

ABSTRACT

This article examines the effectiveness of border haats (markets) between Bangladesh and India. Border haats bear enormous significance for both countries due to their porous borderline length, ethnic-linguistic-religious overlapping, shared historical experience and homogenous borderline economies. There are far lesser number of such haats in operation than are required. Yet those in operation merit serious analysis. This study has adopted a case study of two border haats situated in Chattogram Division of Bangladesh. It uses both primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected from thirty respondents of two border haats in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Secondary data sources, such as journal articles, official reports and newspaper op-eds, were also used to supplement the primary data. We have found several challenges to successful border cooperation; namely, haat infrastructures, technicalities, safety and security and border haat management. Apart from these difficulties, border haats have a significant economic impact on the two border haats regions in Chattrogram. Border haats appeared to be a boon to Bangladesh’s peripheral communities. This paper also found that it directly affects the total income of the border haat’s various stakeholders, including vendors, labourers, transporters, and vendees. Border haat has an economic impact on the local population, not just directly on total income but also indirectly through tourism promotion, rural entrepreneurship and infrastructure development. As a result, the borderland has developed into an economic hub for unemployed and poor people. This study also found that border haats are important for Bangladesh- India relations in the area of economic integration, reducing informal trade and tension in the border and promoting cultural diplomacy. These findings reveal that Bangladesh and India’s cross-border collaboration via border haats is a successful initiative that should be replicated in other parts of the border.