If it were not so tragic, it would be funny. Two hundred snake charmers are currently stuck in no man’s land between the borders of Bangladesh and India, while a major row brews between Dhaka and New Delhi over whether or not they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
What brought about the confrontation is India’s growing impatience with what it claims is 20 million Bangladeshi immigrants that have crossed over illegally. Dhaka has denied outright that any of its citizens have sneaked over the border. However, it is a fact that the Indian economy is growing in strength while Bangladesh, with 128 million people, remains one of the world most densely populated and least economically developed countries. Smitten by regular environmental disasters, Bangladeshis face a constant struggle to survive, let alone prosper. It is hardly surprising that those who can will seek to find work their country’s wealthier and larger neighbor.
Viewed dispassionately, New Delhi’s tighter controls fall well within the bounds of reason. But unfortunately, it is not that simple. Bangladeshis are Muslims. Whether it likes it or not, India’s Hindu nationalist-led government’s campaign against illegal immigrants from its impoverished neighbor will be seen as anti-Muslim. That will add a further unpleasant dimension to the confrontation.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. India played an important part in helping Bangladesh, then East Pakistan, to break away from the control of Pakistan and Islamabad. Until recently, relations between the two countries have generally been amicable. During Bangladesh’s recurrent flooding disasters, New Delhi has frequently offered aid and assistance.
Expulsion of these people and a tightening of the borders are never going to be the answer. What will keep Bangladeshis at home is their own economic opportunities. Indian investment can do a lot to create this very thing. Steady and targeted Indian support for the Bangladesh economy will ease the flow of people wanting to escape to the opportunities they believe exist in India. And there is another important consideration. As has been demonstrated in Europe and the United States, immigrants, even illegal immigrants, are not necessarily bad news. They can bring skills and labor which can serve to enrich, not pauperize, their host country.
It must be hoped that the confrontation between Dhaka and New Delhi does not deepen and that an early resolution of the immigrant differences is found. India is already seriously at odds with Pakistan and it would be dangerous if any political factions within that country sought to make common cause with Bangladesh, claiming that India’s actions were anti-Muslim. Bangladeshi politics is notoriously volatile and every government must struggle with grave economic, social and environmental problems. If the immigrant issue gets out of hand, it might set off further instability. New Delhi must surely see the dangers of that.
Therefore, it would be wise to draw back from this row which has imprisoned these 200 unfortunate snake charmers in no man’s land. The venom needs to be drawn from the teeth of the confrontation. The concentration should be on charm.
