Bonhomie along the zero line

Border haats between India and Bangladesh are time-tested engagement between borderland communities of the two South Asian neighbours. Close to a decade long smooth running of revived Border haats along India-Bangladesh international border has made the two countries confident to set up more border haats. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has led to suspension of these four border haats for now. They can be expected to resume once the pandemic situation eases. It was in 2011, the traditional border trade was revived after 40 years when the first border haat was opened at Kalaichar in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district connecting Baliamari in Kurigram district in Bangladesh. The two countries now have four such border haats operating- two in Meghalaya and two in Tripura.

The total trade volume in these four weekly common markets at the zero line of the international border is estimated to be around Rs 20 crore a year. Commodities traded include locally produced vegetable, food items, fruits, spices, minor local forest produce such as bamboo, bamboo grass, stick, products of cottage industry, locally produced agricultural household implements, locally produced garments, melamine products, fruit juice and processed food items. The commodities sold in these markets are exempted from customs duty. The two countries also agreed that tariff and non-tariff barriers should not hinder the trade in these common markers.

The Memorandum of Understanding allows the residents of area within five kilometres from the border haat are allowed to buy goods sold in the market. However, the trade engagement has grown into bonhomie between the borderland people beyond the five-kilometre radius. These four markets have opened new livelihood opportunities for the areas which are located at the remotest areas of the neighbouring countries. Enthusiastic participation of the residents from either side show that there is scope for increasing frequency of the market days to facilitate more trade. The experiment of reviving the traditional border haats has helped the local traders to source products from these markets and sell it in their own neighboruhood to augment their income. Increasing participation of the local residents in these formal trade mechanism of border haats can reduce cross-border smuggling. In areas, where informal trade of smuggled goods take place across the border it is only the smugglers who derive the benefits by causing losses to revenue of both the countries and producers and buyers. Over the past more than nine years these four markets set up on pilot basis have grown beyond cross-border trade and commerce.

Families separated by partition and other historical events such Bangladesh Liberation War have found these revived border haats exciting meeting places to get reunited. This has opened huge opportunities of tourism in borderland areas. Introduction of border passes to border residents to travel to limited distance as in force along India-Myanmar border areas will strengthen the people-to-people exchange across India-Bangladesh border. The Land Border Crossing Agreement between India and Myanmar facilitates border pass for domiciles living along the border to travel within 16 km without special permit. Such provisions facilitating easier movement of the borderland people across the border can help maintain peace and tranquillity between two neighbouring countries and deepen bilateral engagement. This will require intensification of the vigil by border guarding forces to thwart any attempt by infiltrators and smugglers to take advantage of border haats and border pass mechanism. Respective market management committees are required to maintain the entry-exit records of vendors and vendees. At the close of the market, the records are checked to ensure that vendors and vendees have returned to their respective counties. Introduction of border passes is possible with similar mechanism put in place.

The 100 per cent centrally-sponsored Border Area Development Programme can supplement the cross-border engagement through improvement of infrastructure along the border areas. The BADP covers all villages within 0-10 km from the international borders in 17 states including the eight North-eastern states. Forty per cent of the total allocation under BADP is earmarked for the northeast region while the rest 60 per cent of the allocated fund is divided among the rest nine states and two union territories. Expediting the BADP implementation by the four north-eastern states – Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura will go a long way in facilitating opening up of more border haats along the India-Bangladesh border. Cross-border trade linkage for model villages being set up under BADP programme should get priority to ensure better outcomes of the expenditures. One of the objectives behind setting up these model villages is to check the outmigration of people from the border areas for want of sufficient infrastructure and facilities for sustainable living. Experience of the four border haats along India-Bangladesh border show that linking these model villages to cross-border trade will also make the farm and entrepreneurial activities of the residents sustainable.

Also watch: Get Set Global: Durga Puja: Around The World

Also Read:  Attacks on national integrity do not make for good politics