vested interests and build bridges of friendship through trade, sports, films, tourism and cultural exchanges. Many Indians and Pakistanis feel that secularism, democracy and freedom in both countries will enable a greater understanding and cooperation between the two people. These ideals are under threat by forces which seek to promote conflict between the two countries.

Bangladesh was liberated from Pakistan with the help of Indian troops in 1971. It signed a 25 years peace treaty with India immediately after its independence. However, they have had differences over several issues like sharing of river waters of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. India also opposed the large-scale illegal migration of people of Bangladesh into India. The Bangladesh government objected to fencing of borders by India to prevent illegal entry. It feels that India behaves like a big brother in this region.

In spite of these differences, both the countries have cooperated on many fronts, especially on the economic front. Bangladesh is an integral part of the Indian ‘look East policy’ to link up south Asia via Myanmar. Both have cooperation on disaster management. Bangladesh has rewarded many Indians who rendered their services and sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka is an island country situated in the Indian Ocean towards the south of India. It got its freedom in 1948. Since times immemorial, India and Sri Lanka have cultural, ethnic and economic relations. Both were decolonised almost at the