The head of India's navy, Adm. Nirmal Verma, recently met with senior military and civilian officials in Bangladesh, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Mohammed Zillur. In an email interview, Sreeradha Datta, a research fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analysis in New Delhi, discussed India-Bangladesh relations.
WPR: What is the recent history of India-Bangladesh relations?
Sreeradha Datta: Although they began as friends following Bangladesh's independence, India and Bangladesh quickly lapsed into indifferent if not hostile and antagonistic relations. The worst phase in bilateral ties occurred from 2001-2006. The two subsequently emerged again as friendly and supportive neighbors. With Bangladesh's Awami League coalition government coming to power in 2008, bilateral ties have strengthened further.