Abstract

The dynamics of Indo-Bangladesh ties have always shifted with swings in domestic politics. The emergence of a coalition government in India during the 1990s changed the nature of Indian foreign policy. India’s regional provinces began asserting themselves in neighbourhood policy. This is mostly driven by local provincial politics that, at times, leads to the sacrifice of the broader picture and jeopardises India’s relationship with its neighbours. The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), signed in 1974, has been in limbo for almost four decades and there is now emerging consensus on the Indian side that it should be ratified. In this context, Dr. Pandey’s paper argues that for a country to formulate a coherent foreign policy with regard to its neighbour, there should be a forum to involve concerned states as well.

About Speaker

Punam Pandey is a post-doctoral research fellow with the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, University of the Free State, South Africa. She has published papers in India Quarterly, South Asian Survey, and other reputed journals. She was awarded a doctorate from University of Delhi in March 2012 and has taught at various colleges in the University of Delhi. Dr. Pandey has been associated with several India-Bangladesh Track II initiatives.