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

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 Articles Asal, 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.x Harel‐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/ Harel‐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 La guerra de Bangladesh de 1971 y las lecciones políticas para la gestión de los refugiados climáticos en el sur de Asia Este artículo responde a una investigación reciente que destaca la necesidad de un mayor enfoque en la dinámica de la movilidad climática y las políticas estatales de destino. La masa de tierra baja, la densa población y la extensa costa de Bangladesh han aumentado el riesgo de desestabilización inducida por el cambio climático debido al aumento del nivel del mar. Existe un mayor riesgo de movimientos transfronterizos a largo plazo de refugiados climáticos hacia la India, que anteriormente experimentó un intenso éxodo a corto plazo de 10 millones de refugiados del este de Pakistán de la guerra de 1971 en Bangladesh. Entiendo las respuestas del estado, las