Fortress India

[bd_4_ever]

Here we go again...


Cheers!!!

 

[notsuperstitious]

What I don't understand is how does MBI come to know of our plans? Does he attend our strategy meetings? I mean how difficult it is for him to sneek in when all 1.2 billion of us meet at midnight of every 1st to discuss our next evil design!

Seriously, we can't complain about illegal immigration, we can't use force to stop smugglers, we can't build fences in our land. What the duck is wrong with these jamatis? What do they want (OK I know they want Assam and replace their bengali genes with Arabi)!

Are we supposed to take these nutters seriously?

These Jamaatis just want to protect their best tool, propaganda about deaths on the border, always ,makes then unhappy, one less death, a great loss!

 

[Galaxy]

What I don't understand is how does MBI come to know of our plans? Does he attend our strategy meetings? I mean how difficult it is for him to sneek in when all 1.2 billion of us meet at midnight of every 1st to discuss our next evil design!

Seriously, we can't complain about illegal immigration, we can't use force to stop smugglers, we can't build fences in our land. What the duck is wrong with these jamatis? What do they want (OK I know they want Assam and replace their bengali genes with Arabi)!

Are we supposed to take these nutters seriously?

This is their hidden agenda, as MBI and few more poster already said some time back on this very forum. They don't understand the ground reality and facts how things changes. It will take only one day to kick back and give the reply by GoI and North-Eastern People. Assamese are already angry and back-clash is not too far. Fence is not only solution. More BSF should be deployed with latest weapons and equipments to control illegal cross border. Also, Millions of illegal immigrants should be sent back. Our Government is not taking hard stand to deport. But things will change soon within few years...

 

[BanglaBhoot]

It is a shame that US magazines still remain so undiscerning and uncritical of Indian policy objectives and propaganda aimed at its South Asian neighbors. India's border fencing policy with Bangladesh has nothing to do with climate change or illegal immigration. India would be a far worse sufferer of climate change than Bangladesh with the ocean on three sides (i.e. the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea covering India's eastern and western flanks) and the tsunami of 2004 clearly showing that a rise in sea levels would have extremely devastating consequences for India. Bangladesh was completely unharmed by the 2004 tsunami because of the shallow waters on its coastal regions. India will sink long before Bangladesh does in the case of climate change and a corresponding sea rise. This does not mean that Bangladesh will remain unaffected by climate change as cyclones could become more violent and deadly but there is an even chance that such a storm could hit India or Myanmar without ever reaching Bangladesh shores (look at a map).
As for illegal immigration there were only two periods where Bangladeshis/East Pakistanis emigrated to India en masse - in 1947 and 1971. Most of the émigrés in these two periods were Hindus and have settled nicely in Hindu majority India without any intention of returning to Bangladesh. After 1971 illegal immigration to India from Bangladesh has been limited and the overall figure of 20 million immigrants to India is highly exaggerated. If so many Bangladeshis had tried to emigrate to India in the last 30 years then the death rate on the border (from BSF shootings) would be far far higher. It also makes no economic sense for Bangladeshis to emigrate to India. All the Indian states surrounding Bangladesh are far poorer in GDP terms excepting one - Meghalaya which has virtually no Bangladeshi immigrants. Bangladeshis would also not prefer to go to other parts of India because of cultural, religious and linguistic differences as well as increasing Hindu chauvinism in financially lucrative and wealthy states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat. So in conclusion the argument about illegal immigration to Bangladesh is a fallacious one.
So what is the real reason for India's inhuman border fencing policy with Bangladesh? The obvious rationale for the policy (apart from India's inherent hegemonic tendencies) is preparation for war with China. Under the subservient regime of the present Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina there have been several strategically significant deals already signed or under negotiation with New Delhi such as transit facilities and access to ports as well as other vital infrastructure. These are all intended to help supply the Indian military located in the North East who are presently in a face off with Chinese troops (across the border from disputed Arunachal Pradesh) in Tibet. In the event of war, India could easily access Bangladesh to reach its army positioned in the North East but which is presently limited by the narrow Shilguri pass (or chicken neck) which could be easily blocked during a protracted conflict with China. Having access through Bangladesh provides a convenient alternative route to the North East region. But what has any of this to do with the border fencing policy? The fencing policy has a military objective to fence in Bangladeshis who might prefer to side with China and who could help incite rebellion in the insurgency prone North East states of India in time of war. It is in India's vital national interests to completely isolate and hermetically seal Bangladesh from the North East states. Bangladeshis generally resent Indian expansionist and hegemonic policies (see The India Doctrine (1947-2007)) and could easily find common cause with a sympathetic China. The strategic alignment of Bangladesh under the Awami League with India also has some obvious negative consequences for the country. Bangladesh would be inevitably drawn into a war it does not want and against a country it does not want to fight and has no serious differences with (i.e. China).
In a recent article in PROBE news magazine it was asserted that India was turning Bangladesh into a huge prison through its border fencing policy. It is my assertion that in the event of war India will in fact turn Bangladesh into a giant concentration camp.

Fortress India - By Scott Carney, Jason Miklian, and Kristian Hoelscher | Foreign Policy

If people actually bother to read the comments then they would not make dumb remarks like "I do not understand why a big issue is made of India building a fence ......"

 

[BanglaBhoot]

It is a shame that US magazines still remain so undiscerning and uncritical of Indian policy objectives and propaganda aimed at its South Asian neighbors. India's border fencing policy with Bangladesh has nothing to do with climate change or illegal immigration. India would be a far worse sufferer of climate change than Bangladesh with the ocean on three sides (i.e. the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea covering India's eastern and western flanks) and the tsunami of 2004 clearly showing that a rise in sea levels would have extremely devastating consequences for India. Bangladesh was completely unharmed by the 2004 tsunami because of the shallow waters on its coastal regions. India will sink long before Bangladesh does in the case of climate change and a corresponding sea rise. This does not mean that Bangladesh will remain unaffected by climate change as cyclones could become more violent and deadly but there is an even chance that such a storm could hit India or Myanmar without ever reaching Bangladesh shores (look at a map).
As for illegal immigration there were only two periods where Bangladeshis/East Pakistanis emigrated to India en masse - in 1947 and 1971. Most of the émigrés in these two periods were Hindus and have settled nicely in Hindu majority India without any intention of returning to Bangladesh. After 1971 illegal immigration to India from Bangladesh has been limited and the overall figure of 20 million immigrants to India is highly exaggerated. If so many Bangladeshis had tried to emigrate to India in the last 30 years then the death rate on the border (from BSF shootings) would be far far higher. It also makes no economic sense for Bangladeshis to emigrate to India. All the Indian states surrounding Bangladesh are far poorer in GDP terms excepting one - Meghalaya which has virtually no Bangladeshi immigrants. Bangladeshis would also not prefer to go to other parts of India because of cultural, religious and linguistic differences as well as increasing Hindu chauvinism in financially lucrative and wealthy states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat. So in conclusion the argument about illegal immigration to Bangladesh is a fallacious one.
So what is the real reason for India's inhuman border fencing policy with Bangladesh? The obvious rationale for the policy (apart from India's inherent hegemonic tendencies) is preparation for war with China. Under the subservient regime of the present Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina there have been several strategically significant deals already signed or under negotiation with New Delhi such as transit facilities and access to ports as well as other vital infrastructure. These are all intended to help supply the Indian military located in the North East who are presently in a face off with Chinese troops (across the border from disputed Arunachal Pradesh) in Tibet. In the event of war, India could easily access Bangladesh to reach its army positioned in the North East but which is presently limited by the narrow Shilguri pass (or chicken neck) which could be easily blocked during a protracted conflict with China. Having access through Bangladesh provides a convenient alternative route to the North East region. But what has any of this to do with the border fencing policy? The fencing policy has a military objective to fence in Bangladeshis who might prefer to side with China and who could help incite rebellion in the insurgency prone North East states of India in time of war. It is in India's vital national interests to completely isolate and hermetically seal Bangladesh from the North East states. Bangladeshis generally resent Indian expansionist and hegemonic policies (see The India Doctrine (1947-2007)) and could easily find common cause with a sympathetic China. The strategic alignment of Bangladesh under the Awami League with India also has some obvious negative consequences for the country. Bangladesh would be inevitably drawn into a war it does not want and against a country it does not want to fight and has no serious differences with (i.e. China).
In a recent article in PROBE news magazine it was asserted that India was turning Bangladesh into a huge prison through its border fencing policy. It is my assertion that in the event of war India will in fact turn Bangladesh into a giant concentration camp.

Fortress India - By Scott Carney, Jason Miklian, and Kristian Hoelscher | Foreign Policy

Bangladeshis should have a more critical attitude to the country' security but some on this forum seem to want to follow the Indian lead blindly. Most of these Bangladeshis don't even live in the country but mouth of nonetheless .......

 

[Masterchief]

If Bangladeshis are found tresspassing then they should be arrested not killed.

 

[third eye]

Return of the Prodigal Son !

India raises fences on Indian land with Indian money so whats the fuss ?

 

[fallstuff]

The writer is not a typical FP writer. He is more like alternate news, Mother Jones, NPR, Nation kinda writer. Whats his piece is doing on FP magazine ?

FP parent company is Washington Post, which usually gives India good press.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

It is a shame that US magazines still remain so undiscerning and uncritical of Indian policy objectives and propaganda aimed at its South Asian neighbors. India's border fencing policy with Bangladesh has nothing to do with climate change or illegal immigration. India would be a far worse sufferer of climate change than Bangladesh with the ocean on three sides (i.e. the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea covering India's eastern and western flanks) and the tsunami of 2004 clearly showing that a rise in sea levels would have extremely devastating consequences for India. Bangladesh was completely unharmed by the 2004 tsunami because of the shallow waters on its coastal regions. India will sink long before Bangladesh does in the case of climate change and a corresponding sea rise. This does not mean that Bangladesh will remain unaffected by climate change as cyclones could become more violent and deadly but there is an even chance that such a storm could hit India or Myanmar without ever reaching Bangladesh shores (look at a map).
As for illegal immigration there were only two periods where Bangladeshis/East Pakistanis emigrated to India en masse - in 1947 and 1971. Most of the émigrés in these two periods were Hindus and have settled nicely in Hindu majority India without any intention of returning to Bangladesh. After 1971 illegal immigration to India from Bangladesh has been limited and the overall figure of 20 million immigrants to India is highly exaggerated. If so many Bangladeshis had tried to emigrate to India in the last 30 years then the death rate on the border (from BSF shootings) would be far far higher. It also makes no economic sense for Bangladeshis to emigrate to India. All the Indian states surrounding Bangladesh are far poorer in GDP terms excepting one - Meghalaya which has virtually no Bangladeshi immigrants. Bangladeshis would also not prefer to go to other parts of India because of cultural, religious and linguistic differences as well as increasing Hindu chauvinism in financially lucrative and wealthy states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat. So in conclusion the argument about illegal immigration to Bangladesh is a fallacious one.
So what is the real reason for India's inhuman border fencing policy with Bangladesh? The obvious rationale for the policy (apart from India's inherent hegemonic tendencies) is preparation for war with China. Under the subservient regime of the present Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina there have been several strategically significant deals already signed or under negotiation with New Delhi such as transit facilities and access to ports as well as other vital infrastructure. These are all intended to help supply the Indian military located in the North East who are presently in a face off with Chinese troops (across the border from disputed Arunachal Pradesh) in Tibet. In the event of war, India could easily access Bangladesh to reach its army positioned in the North East but which is presently limited by the narrow Shilguri pass (or chicken neck) which could be easily blocked during a protracted conflict with China. Having access through Bangladesh provides a convenient alternative route to the North East region. But what has any of this to do with the border fencing policy? The fencing policy has a military objective to fence in Bangladeshis who might prefer to side with China and who could help incite rebellion in the insurgency prone North East states of India in time of war. It is in India's vital national interests to completely isolate and hermetically seal Bangladesh from the North East states. Bangladeshis generally resent Indian expansionist and hegemonic policies (see The India Doctrine (1947-2007)) and could easily find common cause with a sympathetic China. The strategic alignment of Bangladesh under the Awami League with India also has some obvious negative consequences for the country. Bangladesh would be inevitably drawn into a war it does not want and against a country it does not want to fight and has no serious differences with (i.e. China).
In a recent article in PROBE news magazine it was asserted that India was turning Bangladesh into a huge prison through its border fencing policy. It is my assertion that in the event of war India will in fact turn Bangladesh into a giant concentration camp.

Fortress India - By Scott Carney, Jason Miklian, and Kristian Hoelscher | Foreign Policy

The comments above are not the authors but mine which I added to the comments section in FP. I thought someone would have realized that by now .....

 

[ganesh177]

Now that we are talking, lets not just only talk about fence system, lets talk about those millions of illegal bangladeshis in india. If the bangladeshi govt and people cares so much for there fellow bangladeshis, then when are they planning to take all these illegal immigrants back ? No one is seen talking about it.

 

[fallstuff]

The fence is just the manifestation of insecurity.

I think Hasina by her actions has managed to convince average folk that she has no clue about how to conduct foreign affairs. I doubt she gives a damn about the girl who got shot at point blank.

 

[monitor]

how many Bangladeshi actually living in India is a matter of controversy . india is not like so affluent country that if some people from Bangladesh or ther country goes there will get any job . may be very small number of Bangladeshi working there but that cannot be any excuse of building fence around country defying international law

 

[fallstuff]

In reality I actually welcome the fence. Its largely built complying International Law.

@ Munshi, there isn't much to do about the fence, but a lot can be done about the transit. Transit issue is not over yet, not by a long shot.

 

[Galaxy]

how many Bangladeshi actually living in India is a matter of controversy . india is not like so affluent country that if some people from Bangladesh or ther country goes there will get any job . may be very small number of Bangladeshi working there but that cannot be any excuse of building fence around country defying international law

What is international law ? Do you know that ? Every country has right to build fence in it's border. Like U.S.-Mexico, China-N.Korea, India-Pakistan, Pakistan- Afghanistan. It's our own need. There is big problem in India regarding Illegal immigrants. Hence, No other solution. You don't have any idea. GoI is blamed by Indian people for slow fencing process (it should have done a decade back) and also not deporting back. Fencing is must. Also, More BSF should be deployed with best equipments and all illegal immigrant should be deported back. There are 20 million illegal Immigrants from Bangladesh (although number can't be accurate due to illegal). Anyone who crosses border illegally should be punished. This is all as per International Law.

It's about our economy and security. We have serious problem. Hence, it's our right to decide what to do. I don't know what so much fuss about ? BD can also build same way. It's good for us.

 

[integra]

As for illegal immigration there were only two periods where Bangladeshis/East Pakistanis emigrated to India en masse - in 1947 and 1971. Most of the émigrés in these two periods were Hindus and have settled nicely in Hindu majority India without any intention of returning to Bangladesh. After 1971 illegal immigration to India from Bangladesh has been limited and the overall figure of 20 million immigrants to India is highly exaggerated. If so many Bangladeshis had tried to emigrate to India in the last 30 years then the death rate on the border (from BSF shootings) would be far far higher. It also makes no economic sense for Bangladeshis to emigrate to India. All the Indian states surrounding Bangladesh are far poorer in GDP terms

Quite obvious but is is Indians we are trying to have some fruitful discussions with.Will engage later.