Webinar on Indo-Bangladesh Relations Since 1971

The Department of History, of The Bhawanipur Education Society, arranged an invited lecture on 27^th November 2020 entitled ‘Indo-Bangladesh Relations Since 1971’. Retired Indian diplomat and Ambassador Shri Rajendra Rai was invited to deliver the special talk. The webinar began at 6:30 pm and was conducted through the medium of Google Meet.

Introducing his talk with ties of historicity interlinking both countries (India and Bangladesh), Ambassador Rai in his forty-five minute discussion enraptured the audience with the social, political, cultural and strategic dimensions of both countries. The policies adapted by successive Indian governments which has strengthened the alliance between India and Bangladesh were discussed. The water-sharing crisis, cross-border exchanges, joint military excercises, and training programmes arranged for skill developments were highlighted in the course of his talk. Ambassador Rai concluded his lecture on an optimistic note stating how despite minor points of conflict, both countries have emerged as crucial partners in a geo-politically significant terrain as South Asia. 

Ambassador Rai spoke for forty-five minutes following which a discussion session took place for forty-five minutes. It was encouraging to witness our students asking probing questions throughout the talk.

The invited lecture was attended by sixty participants with students predominantly from the Department of History and Political Science. Close to 10 external participants had joined in this event. After the discussion, the vote of thanks was delivered by the Head of Department, Professor Piu Chatterjee. 

The presence of students, teachers, and guests to the invited lecture made it an extremely engaging evening.