National identity is never easy to define. What exactly transforms a people into a nation is also endlessly contested. The birth of Bangladesh, one would have thought, was a simpler phenomenon. The new nation was born primarily of a linguistic nationalism that proved stronger than the people's religious identity. Forty five years after the birth of the nation, 'Bengali' or 'Bangladeshi' nationalism has moved away from its supposed origins. This is not unusual, given the fact that the national identity of a people keeps evolving over decades, even centuries. The challenge for the people and society in Bangladesh is to make that evolution correspond to modernist ideals. The rise of political Islam in that country is only one manifestation of the challenge. Despite occasional setbacks in the fight against Islamic militancy, Bangladeshi society has succeeded in retaining a secular culture that goes beyond religion. For the second most populous Muslim-majority country in the world, this success is truly remarkable, especially at a time when Islamic radicalism claims new recruits and territories around the world. But the fissures within the country's political structure show that the battle to shape the nation's identity is on.

However, no country lives as an island in these globalized times. Ties of history, geography and culture make Bangladesh no ordinary neighbour of India. Like its liberation struggle of 1971, every aspect of Bangladeshi life - economic, political and cultural - is inextricably linked to India. Occasional rifts may lead sections of Bangladeshi society to complain about India's shadow over it. Anti-India campaigns may serve the interests of some political groups, especially during elections, in Bangladesh. But there is no denying that Indian support is the best bet for Bangladesh's political stability and economic development. Indian economic and strategic help is as vital for Bangladesh as it is for Nepal. It is in the best interests of both these countries to be sensitive to security threats to India from across the borders. Sheikh Hasina Wajed has done remarkably well in fighting Islamic militancy in Bangladesh. New Delhi too has reciprocated her policies and gestures with generous offers of economic assistance. The $2 billion line of credit and $5 billion worth of investments that India offered during Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka last June point to a dramatic change in bilateral cooperation. There is also a new ambience of mutual trust and understanding that the two sides need to nurture.

Despite the barbed wire fence on the borders, more things connect the two countries than separate them. Indian cultural traditions, democratic politics and secular values can help Bangladeshi society forge a new identity.