The 1971 Bangladesh War and Policy Lessons for Climate Refugee Management in South Asia

Abstract

This article responds to recent research highlighting the need for greater focus on the dynamics of climate mobility and destination state policies. Bangladesh's low‐lying landmass, dense population and long coastline has raised the risk of climate change‐induced destabilization due to sea‐level rise. There is increased risk of long‐term, cross‐border movement of climate refugees into India which previously experienced a short‐term, intense exodus of ten million East Pakistani refugees from the 1971 Bangladesh War. This study understands India's state, NGO, and societal responses to the 1971 crisis using the concept of framing and developing a “perception‐capability‐policy output” approach to garner policy lessons for potential future climate change‐induced migration. Limitations of the “conflict versus climate migration” comparison are acknowledged, even as its utility is highlighted. The article ends by noting the crucial role of NGOs and social capital in filling capability voids of the state, constrained by a polarizing political environment.Related ArticlesAsal, Victor, and Mitchell Brown. 2010. “A Cross‐National Exploration of the Conditions that Produce Interpersonal Violence.” Politics & Policy 38 (2): 175‐192. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00234.xHarel‐Shalev, Ayelet. 2009. “Lingual and Educational Policy toward ‘Homeland Minorities’ in Deeply Divided Societies: India and Israel as Case Studies.” Politics & Policy 37 (5): 951‐970. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2009.00206.x/abstractHarel‐Shalev, Ayelet. 2013. “Policy Analysis beyond Personal Law: Muslim Women's Rights in India.” Politics & Policy 41 (3): 384‐419. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12016