Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120258440100.htm

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No quarter to inimical forces: Dhaka

Sandeep Dikshit

Bangladesh seeks greater understanding on sharing of waters and trade

DHAKA: India and Bangladesh on Saturday reviewed outstanding issues aiming to place their bilateral ties on a firmer footing and erase the bitterness of the past.

In meetings with visiting External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Chief Adviser to the caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed and Adviser on Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhry said Bangladesh would not allow its territory to be used by forces inimical to the interests of its neighbours, including India. “We stand firm in our commitment and remain sensitised on this issue,” said Dr. Ahmed.

At the same time, Dhaka sought greater understanding from New Delhi on issues such as sharing of waters and economics and trade. Dr. Chowdhry recalled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s observations at the recent SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) that “India is ready to accept asymmetrical responsibilities, opening her markets to her South Asian neighbour without insisting on reciprocity.”

Dhaka also requested India to consider expeditiously its request to be allowed to invest in India and pointed out that the draft India Bangladesh Bilateral Protection and Promotion Agreement had been hanging fire.

He welcomed Dr. Singh’s announcement to provide duty-free access to products from the least developed countries of the SAARC under the SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Arrangement) and requested India to consider excluding items that are under SAPTA (South Asia Preferential Trading Arrangement) concessions.

Bangladesh has already handed over a list of 101 items for excluding from India’s sensitive list at the last joint working group on trade.

Both sides noted the recent useful discussions on security matters including the meeting of the Home Secretaries in August this year, preceded by Foreign Secretary-level talks in Dhaka. The Directors General-level talks between the Border Security Force and the Bangladesh Rifles ended on a positive note.