THE message from Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi from his various speeches in Dhaka and also from the opinion piece in the Bangladesh newspaper ‘The Star’ is clear and clean. Expounding India’s vision and position on multi-lateral relations in the subcontinental neighbourhood, Mr. Modi stated that India and Bangladesh favoured a terror-free atmosphere where peace was the dominant condition. He also indicated how expansionism was an anathema that every democratic country should shun. The Prime Minister’s message is not an impotent statement on the need for peace or the appeal of weak to defeat terror. It is backed fully by strong action since his ascendency to the helm seven years ago. Even as it faced very serious expansionist and terrorist threats from China and Pakistan, India braced itself very well not just to face the challenges but also to defeat those decisively.

 

Even in the diplomatic arena, India proved its mettle beyond an iota of doubt by handling tough calls with strength that did not stem just from the improved military prowess but also from a resolute natational character that refused to tolerate nonsense -- either in eastern Tibet vis-a-vis China or in Kashmir vis-a-vis Pakistan. The message from Dhaka stands on this foundation the like of which was only rarely seen earlier. The span of history around the formation of Bangladesh also acts as a background for Mr. Modi’s message from Dhaka. In his speeches, he made a proud mention of the then Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi who played the most critical role in shaping the course of history. Mr. Modi recalled the significance of what Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Ur Rehman achieved not just for his own country but also for the region in which he wanted peace and harmony to dominate the developmental discourse. The Prime Minister reminded assertively that India abided by that spirit through the thick and thin of the past fifty years. At this juncture, such a message was the need of the moment.

 

Having proved itself as a responsible State, Bangladesh now looks to a bright future . “India will always be a partner in that endeavour,” the Prime Minister assured. Again, the message to the region and the world is clear: India will remain loyal to its friendship with Bangladesh to carve out good life for its people, no matter the diplomatic twists and turns possibly necessitated by whatever compulsions Dhaka may have to handle. Mr. Modi meant to communicate to the region that India has enough patience to wait for appropriate moment to act properly and faith in its own capabilities to handle the needs of a lasting friendship.

 

The tone of authenticity of historical association between India and Bangladesh was clearly visible in Mr. Modi’s statements on different occasions in his stay in Bangladesh. No matter the ups and downs thrust upon Dhaka by various international exigencies, India will always abide by the charter of friendship. He also expressed a sense of assurance India felt about the equal reciprocation from Bangladesh. In the current geopolitical atmosphere in the region, such an assertion of mutuality of faith between two countries is something to be cherished and relished. The expression of ambition for a healthy partnership in search of a joint bright future also goes far beyond the regular diplomatic drawl that is usually found during such visits of Heads of Governments. The sense of honest belief underlined the assertions by Prime Minister Mr. Modi on various occasions during his two-day visit to Bangladesh. That the visit rekindled the memories of the time of formation of Banglkadesh, was only one aspect. The more important one is the assertion of a lasting commitment to common cause.