Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh have been mired in boundary disputes, water-sharing disagreements and security issues. Transport connectivity between the neighbours still is a long way from optimal. However, the forecast is not entirely grim – there has been progress, even if it is slow. Bangladesh is the largest export market for India in the SAARC region for several years now. Bilateral trade has steadily increased over the last 5 years and stands at $5.24 billion (as of 2012).
On July 18, Gateway House hosted Pankaj Saran, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, in conversation with Ambassador Neelam Deo, Director, Gateway House, to discuss economic opportunities in Bangladesh and how these could create equities for improved political relations. This is the second of the SAARC Series meetings hosted by Gateway House.
Pankaj Saran is the current Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Prior to this, he had diplomatic assignments in Moscow, Washington D.C., Cairo and Geneva. He earlier served in Bangladesh from 1989 to 1992 as First Secretary (Political).
Ambassador Neelam Deo is Director of Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations and former Ambassador to Denmark and former Joint Secretary for Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh.
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