India-Bangladesh Ties: Golden Jubilee, Headwinds Ahead

NEW DELHI: Fifty years ago, the liberation struggle in East Pakistan, actively assisted by India’s military might, led to the creation of a separate nation—Bangladesh. Yesterday, on India’s 72nd Republic Day, a 122-member Bangladeshi military contingent led the parade; some of them were from units that fought in the liberation war. This was the third time a foreign military contingent was given the honour to march down Rajpath. India-Bangladesh have been on the upswing since Sheikh Hasina took over as Bangladeshi prime minister over a decade ago. In this video chat, StratNews Global Editor Surya Gangadharan spoke to Veena Sikri, former Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, on the challenges and the road ahead for the bilateral relationship.