Hilsa Diplomacy: A Fishy Solution To Indo-Bangladesh Tensions? – OpEd

The rich taste of hilsa, a delicate fish prized across the Indian subcontinent, especially in West Bengal, has long transcended culinary indulgence, becoming an unlikely but effective diplomatic tool in the tense relations between India and Bangladesh.

This "hilsa diplomacy," initiated during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina, reflects Bangladesh’s strategic use of the fish to ease bilateral frictions, particularly around the festive season of Durga Puja. With the recent decision by Bangladesh’s interim government to allow the export of 3,000 metric tons of hilsa to India despite domestic supply shortages, the question arises: Can hilsa really help thaw the growing diplomatic freeze?

The Cultural Importance of Hilsa

Every year, during Durga Puja, West Bengal's appetite for hilsa peaks. The fish from Bangladesh’s Padma River, known for its superior quality, commands a special place in the kitchens of Kolkata, where it is cooked in mustard gravy, fried, or steamed. Though hilsa is available in other regions such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, the fish from Bangladesh remains unmatched, making it a highly sought-after delicacy in the Indian market. For Bangladesh, exporting hilsa to India during the festive season is not just about economic gain; it carries significant cultural weight.

For years, hilsa has been a central feature of India's Durga Puja festivities, bringing joy to Bengali households. The fish has become more than just a meal—it symbolizes a bridge between two nations that share a deep cultural and historical heritage. In this context, Bangladesh’s export of hilsa acts as a diplomatic olive branch.

The Roots of Hilsa Diplomacy

Hilsa diplomacy traces its roots back to 1996 when Sheikh Hasina first assumed office as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a strategic gesture of goodwill, she sent a consignment of hilsa to West Bengal's Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, just before the signing of the landmark Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. The fish, in this case, acted as a metaphor for shared resources, and the agreement that followed was seen as a diplomatic success for both nations.

This tradition continued over the years, most notably when Hasina sent a congratulatory hilsa gift to Mamata Banerjee following her electoral victory in West Bengal in 2016. This move was viewed by many as an attempt to soften the long-standing impasse over the Teesta River water-sharing issue, a critical point of contention between Dhaka and Kolkata. Although the Teesta dispute remains unresolved, hilsa has regularly served as a proxy for Bangladesh's attempts to curry favor with Indian leadership.

Tensions in the Waters: Political and Economic Strain

Despite these culinary overtures, Indo-Bangladesh relations have experienced turbulence in recent years. The Teesta River dispute continues to be a thorn in bilateral ties, exacerbated by India's central government and West Bengal’s differing approaches to the issue. Complicating matters further is Bangladesh’s growing frustration over the deportation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India during a sensitive political moment.

Additionally, India’s implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), widely perceived in Bangladesh as discriminatory against Muslims, has further exacerbated tensions between the two nations. Dhaka views these moves as potentially targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, which risks reigniting historical tensions.

Amidst these political strains, economic friction has added another layer of complexity. Though Bangladesh exports large quantities of hilsa to India, domestic shortages of the fish have angered the Bangladeshi public. In 2012, citing a shortage of hilsa and ongoing disputes over water resources, Dhaka banned exports of the fish to India. The sudden halt caused outrage in West Bengal, where hilsa is seen as a festive necessity.

Even as the current interim government reversed its decision to stop hilsa exports this year, local discontent in Bangladesh is brewing over rising hilsa prices, reflecting the fish's scarcity in the country. A legal notice was recently issued to the Bangladeshi government urging it to halt further exports to India, underscoring the domestic pressures the administration faces. With general elections approaching, the Bangladesh government finds itself in a delicate balancing act between appeasing its electorate and maintaining good relations with India.

A Path to Diplomatic Normalisation?

Despite these complexities, hilsa diplomacy still carries potential for rekindling diplomatic ties between the two nations. For India, especially West Bengal, the continuation of hilsa exports is viewed favourably. However, in Bangladesh, the decision is more fraught. The interim government’s reversal of its earlier export ban suggests a desire to placate India, at least temporarily, but this gesture alone may not suffice in addressing the broader issues that mar the bilateral relationship’s

The future of Indo-Bangladesh relations will likely depend on more substantive negotiations around issues like water-sharing agreements, trade, and border management. While hilsa diplomacy can serve as a symbolic reset, it is unlikely to resolve these deeply entrenched problems on its own. More comprehensive, multifaceted diplomatic engagement will be required if the two countries are to truly move toward normalization.

Yet, the allure of hilsa remains a unique element in this geopolitical dance. With every shipment of fish crossing the Benapole-Petrapole border during Durga Puja, it brings not only flavours of a shared past but also a glimmer of hope for a more cooperative future. Whether this delicate fish can act as a true catalyst for change in Indo-Bangladesh relations remains to be seen, but its role in softening tensions should not be underestimated.

Fish as Diplomatic Currency

In the grander scheme of Indo-Bangladesh diplomacy, hilsa represents more than a culinary delight. It is a symbolic and economic tool, wielded by Dhaka to navigate the choppy waters of bilateral tensions. The recent decision to resume hilsa exports ahead of Durga Puja may seem like a small step, but it offers a window into how diplomacy can sometimes take unexpected, even fishy, forms.

Ultimately, while hilsa may not resolve the deeper political and economic challenges between the two countries, it offers a reminder of the shared cultural heritage that binds them. And in diplomacy, sometimes, the smallest gestures—a consignment of silver fish—can pave the way for greater cooperation.