Editor,
The economy in the north-eastern region is taking a hit in the solar plexus along the Indo-Bangladesh border, under the current tension on the fear that the exodus of people along fractured lines has made us forget that friendly relations with our neighbours is imperative and Bangladesh’s largest export destination is India.
Asian Confluence, a think-tank recently hosted a webinar on the theme “India-Bangladesh Relations: Exploring Opportunities for the Future with Perspectives from the North-East Region of India” is just one way of approaching the need to survive together in a dynamically changing world.
Nations are just bleeding out their resources and trade relations if we are following Uncle Sam’s way. Developed during the Obama administration, a kill list called The Disposition Matrix was curated which had a database of information for targeted strikes of known suspected enemies of the US and with the death of an Awami League leader Ishaque Ali Khan Panna found under mysterious circumstances as per media reports that too inside Indian territory just shows how the nature of checks and balances are trampled.
It can be worthwhile mentioning that in 2023 the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijja sent shock-waves in the intelligence community with strong diplomatic ties between India and Canada hung in uncertainty. Political complexities should never compromise values and bilateral connections because in dire circumstances, the neighbour would be the first one to lend a helping hand. COVID-19 did teach us the hard way.
In the book, ‘How the West Fuels War and Poverty in the Developing World by Vijay Mehta discusses that method of disarmament and development through sustainable means can create a new world.
Christopher Gatphoh,
Laitkor Rngi, Shillong-10
