The Hindu : International / India & World : Delhi-Dhaka talks on schedule

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 13, 2004

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International - India & World

Delhi-Dhaka talks on schedule

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA, SEPT 12. Despite the strain in bilateral relations due to ``undiplomatic'' remarks by the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, two Indian secretaries are coming to Dhaka on schedule to hold talks with their Bangladesh counterparts.

The water resources secretaries of the two countries will meet here on September 14 and 15, while the home secretaries will meet on September 16 and 17.

``The question of postponing or cancelling the meetings does not arise,'' said the Bangladesh Home Secretary, Omar Farooq. The country's Foreign Secretary, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, told BBC Radio last night that it was hoped that the Foreign Minister's comments would not adversely affect the meetings.

Addressing a seminar on `Bangladesh-India Dialogue for Journalists' in Dhaka on September 7, Mr. Khan denied India's allegation that camps of insurgents operating in the northeast existed in Bangladesh. ``No country other than a banana republic would shut its eyes if there were terrorists in its territory.''

He also had criticised non-tariff barriers against Bangladeshi exports in the Indian market, though India enjoyed a huge trade surplus. He warned of similar measures against the Indian goods in Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister also accused India of offering discussions on border issues ``only after creating the issues in the first place.''

`For creating awareness'

The foreign office said on Saturday that Foreign Minister Morshed Khan's remarks were for ``creating awareness among young journalists'' of the two countries.

A spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Mr. Khan's remarks related to issues that govern the bilateral relationship, particularly in trade, security and natural resource management.

``Maintaining friendly relations with India is central to Bangladesh foreign policy and Bangladesh remains committed to moving these relations forward through a continuous process of dialogue and meaningful cooperation at various levels to find mutually acceptable solutions to all outstanding issues,'' he said.

Envoy summoned

The Ministry's comments came a day after the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Hemayetuddin, was summoned by the Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, to express New Delhi's ``surprise and dismay'' at Mr. Khan's remarks.

According to a written statement by the Indian foreign office spokesman, the Bangladesh envoy was requested to convey to his government that the remarks of Mr. Khan could have ``a negative impact'' on bilateral relations and the ``spirit of goodwill and friendship that has hitherto characterised these relations.''

``India has always looked upon Bangladesh as a close friend and valued partner,'' the statement said. ``In the recent high level interactions conducted in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, the two sides reiterated their desire to take the bilateral relationship forward. India, for its part, remains committed to this process.''

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