The Bari Vara Agreement – Understanding Its Significance
The Bari Vara Agreement is a landmark agreement signed between India and Bangladesh in 1974. Under the agreement, India ceded control over a small strip of land measuring about 6.5 km along its border with Bangladesh to Bangladesh. In exchange, Bangladesh gave up its claim to a larger piece of land measuring about 2,777 sq km.
The Bari Vara Agreement was named after the two villages, Bari in India and Vara in Bangladesh, that were located on either side of the strip of land that was being exchanged. The agreement was signed on June 6, 1974, by the then Indian Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, and the then Bangladesh President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The significance of the Bari Vara Agreement lies in the fact that it was the first major agreement between India and Bangladesh after Bangladesh’s liberation from Pakistan in 1971. It helped to ease tensions between the two countries and paved the way for further agreements in the future.
The Bari Vara Agreement also helped to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute between India and Bangladesh. Before the agreement, the border between the two countries was ill-defined and poorly demarcated, leading to disputes over land ownership and other issues.
By ceding control over the strip of land to Bangladesh, India not only resolved the boundary dispute but also showed its willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with its neighbor. The agreement helped to promote peace and stability in the region, which was much-needed after the bloody war of independence that Bangladesh had fought against Pakistan in 1971.
In conclusion, the Bari Vara Agreement remains a significant milestone in the history of India-Bangladesh relations. It helped to resolve a long-standing boundary dispute and promote peace and stability between the two countries. The agreement also set the stage for further collaborations and cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the future.