Manmohan Singh must underline the importance of pursuing the long-term interests of the Indian state in Bangladesh irrespective of who is in power in Dhaka.

Second, Manmohan Singh should simply listen to the many political and economic grievances that Dhaka has nursed against New Delhi. That some of these grievances are exaggerated is beside the point.

India is seen in Bangladesh as an insensitive neighbour, which is obsessed with great power politics with no time for the region. Whether it is the question of sharing water resources or the growing trade imbalance between the two countries, India must first demonstrate some empathy with what Dhaka has to say.

Third, the Prime Minister must lay out in clear terms India’s own expectations on its security concerns in Bangladesh. Whether it is the Bangladeshi support to Indian insurgent groups or the question of better border management, India must move from general complaints about Dhaka’s policies to identification of specific benchmarks, which can actually be met and noticed in New Delhi.

Fourth, unilateral Indian gestures on the economic front have long been overdue. Despite enjoying a huge trade surplus with Bangladesh, New Delhi has been miserly in offering market access to Dhaka.

India’s myopic trade policy has been inexplicable from the point of view of New Delhi’s own long-term interest in economic integration with Bangladesh.

In his talks with Khalida Zia, Manmohan Singh must be ready to proclaim some unilateral decisions on market access and non-tariff barriers without demanding any quid pro quos on transit trade, which New Delhi has long sought.

... contd.