Pakistan-Bangladesh Set Sail for the First Direct Sea Route: What Does It Mean for India's Security?
In a critical development for South Asia, Pakistan and Bangladesh recently set up their first-ever direct sea route in over five decades. This historic step was marked when the cargo vessel of Pakistan reached Bangladeshi port Chittagong on November 13. The cargo ship, MV Yuan Xian Fa Zhong brought in all the necessary supplies, including raw materials for Bangladesh's now booming garment industry, and basic food supplies from Pakistan and the UAE. The coming of the ship is not just a milestone for economic cooperation but also a sign of relations thawing between the two countries.
Relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh, once characterized by intense tensions following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, are gradually warming under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. Having completed 100 days in power, Yunus has highlighted that the direct shipping route is critical to increasing trade volumes and improving diplomatic relations. This comes with Bangladesh too relaxing its import bans on Pakistani goods, including removing mandatory physical examinations that has hitherto caused progress delays in trade.
Strategic Importance of the Direct Sea Route
The direct sea route will bring economic exchanges closer by making trade flows between Pakistan and Bangladesh easier and more effective than ever. Coming during times when both nations are intensifying cooperation in multiple sectors such as defense and ammunition trade, this initiative can be extremely important. Pakistan's high commissioner, Syed Ahmed Maroof, labeled the marine link as a "major step" in augmenting trade and opening new business opportunities for both countries. Experts believe the move will augment regional trade and spur economic growth in the two countries.
Security Concerns for India
While a direct sea link may benefit Pakistan and Bangladesh, India is still cautious about Bangladesh's growing access towards India's two neighboring nations. India shares a long border with Bangladesh and traditionally has been close to Dhaka. However, experts warn that such stronger relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh might raise security concerns for India-an especially pertinent matter as happened in the 2004 case when arms destined for terrorist organizations were seized at Chittagong. In particular, India views the reduction of import restrictions as threatening, for it fears it might ease uncontrolled smuggling of dangerous goods, including arms.
An alarm of sorts is ringing in New Delhi from increasing military and diplomatic ties between Dhaka and Islamabad. Bangladesh itself recently ordered artillery ammunition from Pakistan, sending a message to Delhi that Dhaka wasn't as nervous about the activities of its western neighbour as the Indians were.
Bangladesh's Position
Despite India's discomfiture, Muhammad Yunus has reassured that Bangladesh respects the close proximity the country holds with India. For Yunus, "Bangladesh and India must have very close relationships. .. in economics, in security. .. mutual dependence on water resources." In fact, this stance by Yunus mirrors Bangladesh's delicate balancing act of keeping amicable relationships with Pakistan and India, though recent events seem to portray an Asian country drifting towards a more cordial affinity with its arch rival Pakistan.
The implications for India's regional security, as well as its long-standing relation with Bangladesh, remain uncertain while both countries progress with this changing reality.
