India–Bangladesh Relations: MCQs and Long Answer Questions (English)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. The India–Bangladesh Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Peace was signed in:
Options: a) 1971 b) 1972 c) 1975 d) 1996
Answer: b) 1972
Explanation: Signed after Bangladesh’s liberation to formalize close ties.
Q2. Which year did the Liberation War of Bangladesh take place?
Options: a) 1965 b) 1971 c) 1974 d) 1977
Answer: b) 1971
Explanation: India supported Bangladesh against Pakistan, leading to independence.
Q3. The Ganga Water Treaty was signed between India and Bangladesh in:
Options: a) 1975 b) 1982 c) 1996 d) 2001
Answer: c) 1996
Explanation: It resolved water-sharing of the Ganga at Farakka.
Q4. Which river’s water-sharing dispute remains unresolved?
Options: a) Teesta b) Brahmaputra c) Meghna d) Yamuna
Answer: a) Teesta
Explanation: Agreement still pending due to domestic politics in India.
Q5. The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between India and Bangladesh was signed in:
Options: a) 1974 b) 1996 c) 2011 d) 2015
Answer: d) 2015
Explanation: Settled the long-standing enclaves issue peacefully.
Q6. The maritime boundary dispute between India and Bangladesh was resolved in:
Options: a) 2009 b) 2012 c) 2014 d) 2016
Answer: c) 2014
Explanation: Arbitration by UN Tribunal favored Bangladesh.
Q7. Which corridor benefits from India–Bangladesh connectivity projects?
Options: a) North-East India corridor b) Khyber corridor c) Malacca Strait corridor d) Kashmir corridor
Answer: a) North-East India corridor
Explanation: India’s northeast gains direct links through Bangladesh.
Q8. The India–Bangladesh border length is approximately:
Options: a) 1,750 km b) 2,900 km c) 3,500 km d) 4,096 km
Answer: d) 4,096 km
Explanation: Longest border India shares with any neighbor.
Q9. Which Indian city is directly connected to Dhaka by bus and rail?
Options: a) Agartala b) Kolkata c) Guwahati d) Siliguri
Answer: b) Kolkata
Explanation: Kolkata–Dhaka routes enhance cultural and economic ties.
Q10. Which factor poses a major strategic challenge for India in Bangladesh?
Options: a) U.S. investment b) China’s infrastructure projects c) Nepal’s influence d) Sri Lanka’s port deals
Answer: b) China’s infrastructure projects
Explanation: China’s growing role in Bangladesh’s economy impacts India’s strategic interests.
Long Answer Questions
Q: Trace the historical background of India–Bangladesh relations.
Answer:
The roots of India–Bangladesh relations lie in the 1971 Liberation War, when India played a decisive role in Bangladesh’s independence. India supported the Mukti Bahini and provided refuge to millions of displaced people during the conflict. The Indian Armed Forces intervened in December 1971, leading to Pakistan’s surrender and the birth of Bangladesh. This forged a deep emotional and strategic bond between the two nations.
In 1972, both countries signed the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Peace, which institutionalized their bilateral ties. This treaty emphasized mutual respect, economic and cultural cooperation, and regional peace. Over time, the relationship matured, marked by cooperation in trade, connectivity, and security.
Cultural ties are also significant, with shared Bengali heritage, language, and traditions. Leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi shaped the early decades of cooperation. Despite occasional disputes on water and border issues, the foundation of trust from 1971 continues to anchor bilateral relations.
Today, India and Bangladesh maintain one of the most comprehensive partnerships in South Asia, balancing historical bonds with modern challenges like migration, trade imbalance, and China’s growing presence.
Q: Discuss the water-sharing issues between India and Bangladesh.
Answer:
Water-sharing has been a sensitive issue between India and Bangladesh due to their geography as lower and upper riparians. Both nations share more than 50 rivers, making cooperation essential but politically challenging.
The most successful agreement is the Ganga Water Treaty (1996), which established a framework for sharing water from the Ganga at Farakka for 30 years. This treaty is often cited as a model of cooperation, ensuring equitable distribution and reducing seasonal tensions.
However, the Teesta River dispute remains unresolved. While a draft agreement was discussed in 2011, it could not be finalized due to opposition from West Bengal, citing concerns over irrigation needs. For Bangladesh, Teesta water is crucial for agriculture in its northern districts, making it a political priority.
Other rivers like Feni, Manu, and Muhuri have also seen disputes over usage. Despite mechanisms like the Joint Rivers Commission, progress is slow due to domestic politics and competing demands.
Resolving water-sharing disputes is critical not only for agriculture and livelihoods but also for building trust. A fair Teesta agreement would greatly strengthen bilateral goodwill and set an example for regional cooperation in managing transboundary rivers.
Q: Explain the significance of the Land Boundary Agreement (2015).
Answer:
The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), signed in 2015, was a landmark in India–Bangladesh relations, resolving one of the world’s most complex boundary issues. For decades, both nations had enclaves or “chhitmahals” — small territories of one country located within the other. Residents of these enclaves lived in a state of legal limbo, lacking access to government services, citizenship rights, and development opportunities.
The 2015 LBA facilitated a peaceful exchange of 162 enclaves, with around 50,000 residents given the option to choose citizenship of either India or Bangladesh. Most opted to stay in their original homes while becoming citizens of the country they geographically belonged to.
This agreement demonstrated political will and mutual trust, settling a problem that persisted since the Partition of 1947. It improved border management, reduced illegal activities, and enhanced security cooperation.
The LBA also became a symbol of successful diplomacy in South Asia, showing that complex disputes can be resolved through negotiation and goodwill. It created momentum for addressing other issues like connectivity and energy cooperation.
Thus, the LBA significantly strengthened bilateral relations, reducing irritants and reinforcing India and Bangladesh’s commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Q: What are the major challenges in India–Bangladesh relations?
Answer:
Despite strong ties, India–Bangladesh relations face multiple challenges that require sensitive handling.
Firstly, border management is a major issue. Illegal migration, human trafficking, and smuggling along the 4,096 km border create friction. Border security forces have also faced criticism for cross-border killings, straining trust.
Secondly, the Teesta River dispute remains unresolved. For Bangladesh, equitable water-sharing is a domestic political priority, while India faces internal opposition from West Bengal. This unresolved issue limits the potential of bilateral cooperation.
Thirdly, China’s growing role in Bangladesh poses strategic challenges for India. China is investing heavily in infrastructure, ports, and defense supplies in Bangladesh, making Dhaka a key partner in its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Fourthly, trade imbalance concerns Bangladesh, as its imports from India far exceed exports, despite growing trade.
Fifthly, domestic politics in both countries often impact bilateral ties, as opposition parties in Bangladesh sometimes criticize India’s role.
Overall, these challenges highlight the need for India to combine firm security measures with diplomacy, fairness in water-sharing, and inclusive economic cooperation to maintain goodwill and trust with Dhaka.
Q: Suggest measures to strengthen India–Bangladesh relations in the future.
Answer:
To further strengthen ties, India and Bangladesh must adopt a forward-looking strategy that addresses disputes while building new avenues of cooperation.
Firstly, resolving the Teesta River dispute should be a top priority. A fair water-sharing agreement would boost trust and demonstrate India’s commitment to equitable resource distribution.
Secondly, enhancing connectivity between India’s northeast and Bangladesh through rail, road, and waterways will create mutual economic benefits and integrate regional markets.
Thirdly, addressing trade imbalance by expanding market access for Bangladeshi goods in India will help sustain economic goodwill. Joint ventures in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT can further balance trade.
Fourthly, India must counter China’s influence by offering timely infrastructure support, low-interest credit, and capacity-building initiatives without political strings.
Fifthly, cultural and educational exchanges should be expanded. More scholarships for Bangladeshi students, joint research in climate change, and tourism initiatives will strengthen people-to-people bonds.
Finally, cooperation in regional security and disaster management should be deepened. Joint efforts against terrorism, climate resilience projects, and coordinated disaster relief will showcase the strength of bilateral partnership.
With these steps, India–Bangladesh relations can evolve into a model of mutual trust, shared growth, and strategic stability in South Asia.