Internal security key for Dhaka, says ex-IB boss

It's time that the two countries hammered out a reformed immigration system, argues a former Indian police chief, modelled on the US-Mexico arrangement.

Shyamal Datta was Director of Intelligence Bureau - India's premier spy agency - until 2001. The IB chief is regarded as the nation's top policeman who has a say, albeit indirect, in India's foreign policy, particularly vis-à-vis neighbours. He also headed the Special Protection Group. In 2002, Datta was appointed Governor of Nagaland for five years. The cloak and dagger specialist is now a commentator on current affairs for two newspapers.

Ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Bangladesh visit,

S. N. M. Abdi

, a bdnews24.com Contributing Editor in India, picked Datta's brains in a cosy corner of the Calcutta Club where both are members over cups of Darjeeling tea, grilled chicken sandwich and fish finger. Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What are the images Bangladesh conjures up for you?

A: Any mention of Bangladesh takes me back to later part of 1971 when I arrived in Cooch Behar to take charge as Superintendent of Police. In the Circuit House - where I lived before moving into the SP's official bungalow - I was taken aback by the presence of a large number of people from across the border, including quite a few with arms slung over their shoulders. I was told that their presence was the fall out of the liberation movement in erstwhile East Pakistan. Some leaders from Rangpur were staying in the Circuit House and the gun-toting Mukti Bahini men were bodyguards.

Q: What's your advice to Manmohan Singh and Shiekh Hasina ahead of Dr Singh's landmark visit to Bangladesh?

A: I sincerely wish and fervently hope that the historic visit helps lay a solid foundation of a strong and lasting bilateral relationship based on mutual cooperation, empathy and deep understanding. It's a sheer coincidence that ahead of the 40th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh, history has offered us a great opportunity. And the two Prime Minsters cannot let this go in vain. Both will prove great visionaries if they are able to forge a relationship of abiding friendship between the two nations - and not with any particular political party or individual.

Q: Bangladesh feels that it has done a lot for India and got nothing or very little in return.

A: There is no denying the fact that a significant section of Bangladeshis feel that India has not done enough to help promote their interests. In this regard the print media of Bangladesh has been very critical. It lists from time to time the issues that remain yet to be resolved due to lack of initiative on India's part. Against this backdrop, the joint statement during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in January 2010 was indeed a landmark document. It demonstrated the genuine intent on both nations to break free from the past and move forward on several fronts. The joint statement revived hopes of transformation of the existing relationship to one of partnership if the agreement is implemented in letter and spirit.

Q: What do you think India should do to dispel its Big Brother image?

A: In order to dispel the misgivings, right or wrong, India as the world's largest democracy and the biggest neighbour of Bangladesh, has to walk extra miles demonstrating both in rhetoric and substance that it is ready and willing to meet its neighbour's requirements. India should throw open its market and adopt liberal trade policies considering that our population is 8 times the population of Bangladesh and the GDP 12 times!

Moreover the economy of Bangladesh is doing well. Experts believe that Bangladesh is going to be one of the 11 emerging economies that will contribute to global growth. Wisdom and political prudence, therefore, demand that neighbours sharing a 4000 km-long border, build and sustain friendly and purposeful relationships irrespective of the political parties in power in the two countries.

Q: India's PM and Home Minister have publicly thanked Bangladesh for its cooperation in security-related matters. As a security expert, what's your take on Dhaka's help in this regard?

A: We in the security and intelligence establishment, past and present, are very appreciative of the bold decisions taken by Bangladesh to hand over rebel leaders like Arbinda Rajkhowa and others to the Indian security forces. Bangladesh's refusal to allow its soil to be used by any Indian insurgent, terrorist or militant group is a source of great relief to us. Bases in Bangladesh helped militants operate in various parts of India, particularly the north-east. If the present policy of Bangladesh is adhered to and does not become a victim of the vagaries of politics, it will have a lasting impact on the security scenario in both the countries. It has already paved the way for bringing ULFA to the negotiating table.

Q: Bangladeshi experts fear that a land transit corridor would spell the doom of Bangladeshi consumer items in the north-east. Do you think the apprehension is well founded? If it is, how do you think India can compensate Bangladesh for the loss of revenue?

A: The apprehension that the land transit corridor will adversely affect the revenue from the trading of Bangladeshi consumer items in the north-east is perhaps not well founded. Otherwise the two countries would not have agreed to set up border hats and the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Meghalaya and Tripura respectively to promote trade and commerce between the north-east and Bangladesh.

One of the reasons for the huge trade deficit that exists between India and Bangladesh is the presence of over 460 items in the negative list of goods exportable from Bangladesh. If Bangladesh has to gain from the economic boom in India, the list must be drastically pruned.

There are media reports of India's intention to expunge 60-65 items from that list. How many of these are consumer items is not known. However, when implemented, it will go a long way in dispelling Bangladeshi fears.

Q: Why do you think there is a certain keenness in Dhaka to cultivate China?

A: The ups and downs in India-Bangladesh relationship have provided space for China to come closer to Bangladesh, helping it build infrastructure and fostering trade and commerce. A perception has grown among Bangladeshis that China is ever ready to offer its market and financial assistance while the Indian market is difficult to break into. The biggest sticking point is India's reluctance to accede to Bangladeshi keenness to export textile goods.

Q: What are India's concerns about closer Dhaka-Islamabad ties?

A: India has been at the receiving end of closer ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan in the past. The ISI-led Pakistan utilised elements in various organisations, including some political parties in Bangladesh, not only to step up anti-India campaign but also aid and abet separatists. The ISI supervised the harbouring, training and arming of Indian militant groups in collaboration with their Bangladeshi counterpart. The closeness also encouraged fundamentalist groups in Bangladesh to target India. But Bangladesh's current policies are curbing anti-India activities.

Q: One subject that invariably crops whenever the Defence, Home or Foreign ministers of the two countries meet is the shooting of Bangladeshi civilians by BSF. Khaleda Zia raised it again with S. M. Krishna last month. What are your views about it?

A: The killing of civilians across the border is a very sensitive issue between the two countries. Since most of the casualties are on the Bangladeshi side because of the India-bound human traffic, the Bangladesh political establishment periodically raises the issue with Indian counterparts to placate its domestic constituency. During the recent visit of the Home Minister to Dhaka in connection with the signing of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) on July 30, he informed the press that the incidents of firing across the borders have dropped to seven this year compared to 33 last year. Both sides are exercising restraint; they now fire only rubber bullets to curb illegal crossings.

Q: How serious is the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh to India and its implications for India's security?

A: The illegal migration from Bangladesh has been a thorny issue for past 40 years. Bangladesh denies the influx and BDR would flatly refuse to accept illegal immigrants BSF tried to hand over. The fact that millions of Bangladeshis have settled down in different parts of India, fraudulently obtaining ration cards and getting their names enrolled in voters' lists is well known. The fact that some political parties shrug off the issue and use illegal entrants as vote bank is also common knowledge.

The silent invasion has security implications because of its direct impact on the demographic composition of border population. It's time that the two countries hammered out a reformed immigration system. They must create an elaborate immigration bureaucracy with administrative and legal teeth. The policy adopted by USA and Mexico in this regard could be worth looking at for guidance and action.

While reflecting on the vexed issue, one should bear in mind the ground reality that globalisation has destabilised regions states economically with some nations doing well while others languish. Within countries too states some parts have risen and some fallen behind. This has given serious cause and incentives to people to move around for better life. This human tendency has made border management more difficult than ever before. It also complicates relations between neighbours like India and Bangladesh. Some people argue that they have a right to move in any direction to lead a better life. Implied is the right to escape pathetic conditions or poverty.

The rapidly changing scenario underscores the need for an intelligent immigration policy which takes care of the problems of neighbours in the spirit of give and take. Such a policy will facilitate quality life both within the homeland and across the borders. Only then can the security concerns be addressed in a holistic manner.

Q: Did you visit Bangladesh as Director IB or Director SPG?

A: I went to Bangladesh first in 1997 as the Director SPG during the visit of Prime Minister Deve Gowda. My interaction with their foreign ministry was very cordial. I was showered with extra affection compared to other Indian officials because I happened to be a Bengali.

Q: I believe you visited Bangladesh in your personal capacity in 2009. What are the changes you noticed?

A: I visited Dhaka and Chittagong in January 2009 in my private capacity. The visit by an ex IB Chief of India aroused the curiosity of authorities who subjected my host to a lot of questions. My host did not relish the experience at all.

A noticeable change on arrival was the new airport. I met the emerging youth of the digitalised world born after the liberation. They did not carry the baggage of history. A huge middle class also caught my attention. It was making its presence felt in different fields of entrepreneurship. Women were enjoying their economic independence and marching ahead thanks to the growth of micro financing and info-tech. Infrastructure had improved but the traffic was still chaotic.

I did not notice a rise in fundamentalism. It was fairly evident that the new generation was interested in the growth and development of the country. An overwhelming majority of them had voted for Sheikh Hasina. They had an open mind about India. They expected India as a bigger nation to play a lead and generous role in the growth of Bangladesh. Dr Singh should bear this in mind when he lands in Bangladesh in September.

Q: What would have been your major concerns if you headed Bangladesh's intelligence service instead of India's?

A: My major concern would have been to strengthen internal security and border management and curb activities prejudicial to Bangladesh's territorial integrity and sovereignty. There cannot be economic growth without stability. I would have closely monitored the aspirations of the youth and fundamentalist organisations.