ABSTRACT

The aim of this chapter is to highlight how a geographically dis-advantaged and economically weak country co-exists with a neighbour that is larger, economically more powerful and geographically more advantaged. South Asia provides a unique situation to examine such a case. The centrality of India in South Asia provides her with an edge over her weaker neighbours in her foreign-policy dealings and in strategic matters. The comparatively weaker and geographically peripheral nations of South Asia face external vulnerabilities vis-à-vis their stronger neighbour (Hafiz 1989). In the case of Bangladesh, for reasons of its geopolitical situation, most of its perceived threats originate from the policies of India. Part of the problem lies in the fact that India virtually surrounds the country from all sides except to the south.