Description

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Context:

Amid rising tensions in India-Bangladesh relations, Dhaka is reportedly mulling to purchase the Abdali Short Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs).

What is Abdali Missile?

The Abdali (Hatf 2) is a short-range, road-mobile, solid-propellant ballistic missile. It is developed by the Pakistan Space Research Commission (SUPARCO), the Abdali missile system is designed for quick response scenarios on the battlefield.

Features

Range	180-200 km
Payload	Likely high explosive or submunitions
Guidance System	Inertial guidance system
CEP (Circular Error Probable)	150 meters
Engine	Single-stage solid fuel engine
Transport	Transported on a Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) road mobile vehicle
Destructive Power	Relatively small warhead limits power; suitable for targeting military bases, airfields, and critical infrastructure.
Targeting Capabilities	Accurate enough for targeting military bases, airfields, power plants, and industrial facilities.

Transported on a Transporter-Erector-Launcher

A transporter erector launcher is a missile vehicle with an integrated tractor unit that can transport, elevate to a firing position and launch one or more rockets or missiles.

About India-Bangladesh Relations

Important Trade Partners: Bangladesh is India's largest trading partner in South Asia and India is Bangladesh's second largest trading partner in Asia.
- - Bilateral trade stands at USD 14.01 billion (2023-24).
Security and border management: Both countries actively cooperate in the areas of policing, anti-corruption activities and issues of illegal drug trade, counterfeit money, human trafficking, among others.
- - Examples of defense cooperation- Military exercises such as SAMPRITI and MILAN.
Peaceful and Cooperative Border Management: The two countries are working together to secure the 4,096 km long international border with a focus on border fencing, joint control of border pillars, etc.
- - Land Boundary Agreement (2015) and Delimitation of Maritime boundary are examples of peaceful resolution of border disputes.
Convergence for sub-regional cooperation: Both countries share a common vision for the Indo-Pacific in terms of maritime security and development of the ocean economy.
- - g., SAARC, BIMSTEC, BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal), IORA.
Enhanced connectivity: g. Protocol on Inland Waterways Trade and Transit (PIWTT), Operation of Chittagong and Mongla Ports Agreement
Cultural and people-to-people relations: The Indira Gandhi Cultural Center and the Indian Cultural Center in Dhaka play an important role in celebrating common cultural ties.

Source:

INDIA.COM

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the evolution of India-Bangladesh defense relations in recent years. Highlight key areas of cooperation, challenges and their impact on regional security. (150 words)