Description

Bangladesh’s relationship with Nepal is characterized by trust, cordiality, equality and mutual understanding. It was the ties among the peoples of these two South Asian countries which shaped the initial foundation of a long-standing bilateral friendship. Goodwill and shared values have been the basic features of this amity developed through their cultural interactions for thousand years. Bangladesh and Nepal maintain their mutual cooperation with each other in the development of their socio-political, economic, cultural and strategic relationship. Geographically, both Bangladesh and Nepal are surrounded by India on their three sides. However, unlike Bangladesh, which has an access to the high-seas through the Bay of Bengal, Nepal is landlocked with having Chinese border in the other side. Bangladesh and Nepal are separated only by 17 mile (about 22 kilometres) strip of the Indian territory between them. Because of its natural landlocked feature, India alone has been providing sea-route to Nepal since its emergence as a sovereign state. On the other hand, the geographical propinquity with Bangladesh is significant for Nepal, for Bangladesh can provide an alternative sea-route to Nepal, which later on materialized through regional diplomacy.