Bangladesh News

Policymakers, diplomats, educationists and journalists yesterday hoped that the upcoming summit-level meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Manmohan Singh in New Delhi would usher in a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

There are indications that the ties between the two South Asian neighbours would take a positive turn through the meeting. A change in the mindset of the leaders of the two countries would add new dimension to their bilateral relations, the discussants observed.

They were speaking in a roundtable discussion on “Bangladesh-India Relations: Present and Future” organised by Prothom Alo at its office yesterday.

The speakers said the positive outcomes achieved through the summit-level meeting must be maintained by holding regular dialogues at various levels.

The discussion, presided over by Chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on foreign ministry Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali, was addressed, among others, by Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, former foreign minister Anisul Islam Mahmud, former foreign secretaries Farooq Chowdhury, Reaz Rahman and Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, parliamentary standing committee member Mostafa Faruque Mohammad and AKM Mahbubuddin Khokan of BNP, former diplomat Ashfaqur Rahman, Prof Dilara Choudhury of Jahangirnagar University, President of Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies Maj Gen (retd) Muniruzzaman, and Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam.

Prothom Alo Editor and Publisher Matiur Rahman moderated the roundtable while Joint Editor Abdul Quayum gave the concluding speech.

The speakers put emphasis on sustained dialogue with India at different levels, strengthening institutional linkages, abstention from making provocative political statements, building of consensus on policy towards India, relationship on the basis of sovereignty, applying give and take idea in a win-win situation and changing the mindset and attitude towards India.

Most speakers pointed out security as India’s main concern regarding Bangladesh, which should ensure that it will not allow anyone to operate against India using its territory. Similarly, it’s India’s duty to pay attention to Bangladesh’s security concerns.

They said since economic development is Bangladesh’s prime objective, it would be wise for Bangladesh to negotiate with India to reduce trade gap and settle other long-standing bilateral issues.

The discussants said parliament should be made the centre point of discussion on crucial external issues.

They said the summit-level meeting should find out ways and means to resolve border conflicts, put a stop to killings by BSF on borders, settle maritime boundary disputes and initiate signing of an extradition treaty.

Foreign Secretary Mijaurl Quayes said the upcoming meeting will bring a new dimension to the Bangladesh-India relations as both the countries are eager to address their problems.

India’s highest political leadership has shown that India wants to be a sincere partner in Bangladesh’s development.

Speaking about his experience as foreign secretary in the last four months, he said, “I can say that the process of strengthening relations has gained momentum. We can see the reflection of goodwill gesture from the top political leadership of India.”

The foreign secretary said in the premier-level talks various issues including border disputes, using Indian territory for transit to Nepal and Bhutan, transportation of heavy equipment through the Ashuganj river port for setting up power plant at Palatana in Indian state of Tripura and receiving 250 megawatt electricity from the Tripura project, setting up of border markets, state credit assistance for modernising railway and development of communications infrastructure in Bangladesh would be discussed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay an official visit to India starting from December 18.

Mijaurl Quayes said sharing of the water of the Teesta is on the agenda. He also hoped that there would be positive developments in the fields of power, river dredging, transit with Nepal and Bhutan using Indian territory, setting up of border markets, security, communications, and removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Taking part in the discussion, former diplomat Ashfaqur Rahman said, “We can seek Indian assistance for setting up a deep sea port. Besides, we can propose road communications between Sylhet and Imphal, the capital city of India’s north-western state of Manipur, for establishing a regional transit under the purview of Bimstec.

Prof Dilara Choudhury said, “I understand from the speech of the foreign secretary that Bangladesh is going to New Delhi with elaborate preparations. I hope Bangladesh will give necessary attention to long-standing issues that have been stuck on the discussion table.”

Former foreign affairs adviser Reaz Rahman said, “We should put emphasis on strong diplomatic bargaining instead of stressing on good will and good relations to reach any understanding with India.”

Former foreign minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said, “We hope that the summit-level meeting of the two countries will yield a guideline for future relations.”

Former foreign secretary Farooq Chowdhury said it would not be right to expect that all long-standing problems would be resolved in just one visit. If this visit brings change in the attitude, it would usher in benefit in bilateral relations, he added.

BNP lawmaker Mahbub Uddin Khokan said Bangladesh-India relations hang in the balance of trust and mistrust when governments change. He said many agreements were signed between the two countries in the past but those were not implemented fully. He hoped that the prime minister would raise the issues of non-implementation of previous agreements. People expect that she would discuss the Tipaimukh dam issue and sharing of water of the Teesta, he added.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said Bangladesh’s prime need at this moment is economic development and it is necessary for Bangladesh to properly place what it wants from India. He said Bangladesh should remove security concerns for India and equally India should respond to Bangladesh’s economic demands.

Editor of Prothom Alo Matiur Rahman hoped that the upcoming visit would be a successful one.

Mahmud Ali said Sheikh Hasina’s visit would open a window of opportunity for significant improvement in bilateral relations between the two next-door neighbours and this time the change will be much far reaching. He underlined the need for change in attitude while relations are developed.