THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INDIA-BANGLADESH MARITIME CONNECTIVITY UNDER SAGARMALA PROGRAMME: INDIA’S PERSPECTIVE (2015-2018)

Abstract

Indian Ocean has hold such importance to India, which the government referring as the 'key to our future'. For India, Indian Ocean considered as ocean that carry 90% of India's trade and also its energy sources, meaning that Indian Ocean is the 'life line of global commerce' for India. Given the importance of Indian Ocean, the Indian government has been working to ensure Indian Ocean Region as global transit routes will remain peaceful and free for all. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced two principal policies named SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Sagarmala Programme which aiming to boost the development of Indian maritime industry by engaging with littoral countries within the region. This thesis aimed to further elaborate how India engage with one of the littoral countries, Bangladesh. In this thesis, the author will use qualitative research method to analyze not only the implementation of the maritime connectivity of India-Bangladesh under Sagarmala Programme but also will elaborate it on how the cooperation will affect India to complement its objectives in Act East Policy. This implementation will affect not only the growth of trade and effectiveness in port infrastructure but also to enhance the regional power that India has within South Asia Region.