India today signed a 35-year power transmission agreement with Bangladesh for supplying 250 megawatt of electricity from late 2012. The agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCI).
PGCIL will incur a cost of about Rs.80 crores (about $17 million) to construct 80 km of transmission line and own, operate and maintain it. The Indian company will recover the construction cost under a fixed rate over 35 years.
Many are of the opinion that India is not able to generate enough electricity to support our domestic consumption. Thus, we should not be distributing to others. I would like to present a different perspective. In current times and age no country can remain with doors closed especially to its neighbours. It is not only imperative but compulsory for better international relations to support economically weaker countries. India is surrounded by Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and China. With an exception of China, all the countries surrounding India are very weak on infrastructure and resources.
Pakistan and china have been pursuing a regional policy detrimental to India's interests by consorting with forces that threaten India militarily. Afghanistan has been the hotbed of Islamic extremists like Taliban ('Students of Religion', created and nurtured by the Inter Services Intelligence of Pakistan) and Islamic terrorist organizations like Osama-bin-Laden's Al-Qaeda. Hence relations with Afghanistan have been of security & strategic importance to India.
Bangladesh is another emerging terror front and militants from the North-eastern states continue to operate out of bases in the neighbouring country. The porous border that India shares with Bangladesh is a matter of concern for as infiltration and cross-border terrorism does take place. Government needs to accelerate fencing and lighting work at the border.
India has been primarily providing humanitarian assistance and also helping in establishing education centers, hospitals and other amenities to the neighbours. When Maldives was affected by the tsunami disaster, India promptly dispatched relief aid and rescue teams.
It is equally important for India to aid in infrastructure and funding initiatives with neighbouring countries to establish itself as a regional superpower. Areas for cooperation can range from mining to culture to higher education to clean technology and energy efficiency etc. This not only puts India at the forefront in the region but also makes a positive impact on the minds of our neighbouring states population. Government should setup a separate wing for Comprehensive Economic Cooperation with our neighbours.
India should have a government of the national bourgeoisie, which gives priority to the national interest. Our borders are surrounded by nations that have not only become tools of the imperialist powers, but also claim rights to its territory. And they present a threat to India's territorial integrity, both from within as well as without. Thus, we should be able to understand the importance of regional strategic interests and not only tactical efforts to deal with the dangers.
As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury rightly said “This is a small step for Bangladesh and India, but a giant leap for regional cooperation.”
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