Can ‘fish diplomacy’ get Bangladesh-India ties out of choppy waters?

By Faisal Mahmud

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) – ​​​​​​​ Bangladesh’s recent flip-flop on fish exports to India has ignited a firestorm of opinions either side of the border.

The issue is about one fish in particular, the hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, and while the financial implications are relatively minor, the ramifications extend to the realm of diplomacy.

‘Hilsa diplomacy’ is a term coined during the 15-year reign of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the strategic use of the silvery freshwater fish to foster goodwill between the neighbors.

Hilsa, known for its exquisite flavor, is highly sought after in India’s West Bengal state, especially during the early October festival of Durga Puja.

This year, though, access to the prized fish has become a bargaining chip between India and the interim government in Bangladesh.

On Sept. 11, Farida Akhter, the fisheries and livestock advisor to the Bangladeshi government, announced that the country would not export any hilsa fish to India this year to prioritize domestic supply.

However, within a week, the decision was reversed without explanation, opening the way for the export of 3,000 tons to India – a quantity exceeding the total amount of hilsa that Hasina exported to India during the last three years of her premiership.

- What is the controversy?

The ban and its subsequent reversal sparked a wave of disapproval in Bangladesh.

Many believe that by permitting hilsa exports, the government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has undermined its initial stance of facing India with greater diplomatic integrity.

“India is providing refuge to Hasina, who has blood on her hands from the deaths of thousands,” said Hasan Habib, an entrepreneur in processed foods, referring to the over 800 people killed during the unrest that forced Hasina to leave Bangladesh and take refuge in India.

“I thought the hilsa export ban was a strong message to New Delhi, but now we’re showing diplomatic goodwill by sending fish while an ousted dictator finds shelter there.”

Mizanur Rahman, an insurance company employee, pointed to the soaring cost of hilsa in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh accounts for 70% of the world’s hilsa exports, but it is becoming increasingly rare and expensive due to overfishing, rising demand, and climate change-induced environmental issues.

This year, the price of a 1.5-kilogram (3-pound) hilsa has surged to about 1,800 Bangladeshi taka ($15) in local markets, compared to around 1,300 taka ($11) last year.

Interestingly, the price of hilsa exported to India is lower than some Bangladeshi markets.

Kazi Belayet Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA), told Anadolu that they are exporting hilsa at approximately $12.50 per kilogram.

“When the advisor, Akhter, announced a focus on local consumption over exports, I hoped that would lead to lower prices,” said Rahman.

“Instead, she allowed even more exports than Hasina did. What did we get out of this?”

Saiyed Abdullah, a law graduate and political analyst, told Anadolu that as an adviser with ministerial rank, Akhter should have exercised more caution before publicly stating that hilsa would not be sent to India.

“The public discontent stems from the reversal of that decision,” he explained.

“Additionally, the price differences between exported hilsa and what is sold in local markets raises important questions. If the export price is lower, it naturally invites scrutiny.”

- Complex diplomacy

Experts argue that the issues and uproar surrounding ‘hilsa diplomacy’ are more nuanced and complex than they may seem to the public.

Previously, in 2012, a disagreement over sharing of water resources led to a ban on hilsa exports, which Bangladesh lifted in 2018 as a gesture of goodwill.

Shahab Enam Khan, a professor of international relations at Jahangir Nagar University, told Anadolu that the current relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi is significantly impacted by a lack of pragmatic political communication.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s strong support to previous Awami League administrations in Bangladesh has strained relations with other major political parties.

That has left the Yunus government with the challenge to navigate a politically divided landscape, with public sentiment largely critical of the Awami League’s close ties to New Delhi, said Khan.

He noted that both governments have made efforts to mend deteriorating ties, with fish diplomacy being part of the tools utilized.

“However, it appears that the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) needs to move beyond its usual rhetoric focused on the Awami League, while Dhaka remains open to maintaining a multifaceted relationship with India based on mutual interests,” he said.