[Assam] Dhaka, Delhi sign trade, transit pacts, move closer on terrorism

[Manoj Das]

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 Dhaka, Delhi sign trade, transit pacts, move closer on terrorism

Mon, Feb 9 10:48 PM

Dhaka, Feb 9 (IANS) Bangladesh and India Monday rejuvenated their political
and economic ties, renewing a trade pact that envisages transit facility to
India, and moved closer on their resolve to combat terrorism.

A 12-hour hectic visit here of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab
Mukherjee saw confluence of views on bilateral and regional issues between
the South Asian neighbours, made possible by the emergence in Bangladesh of
a new political dispensation last month under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In conceding road and rail transit to Indian goods that allows Delhi to
connect with its isolated northeastern region, Dhaka displayed political
conviction and overrode opposition brewing at home.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has threatened
agitation to oppose the deals that it considers 'anti-national'.

A 'basic agreement' on transit that is within the trade pact - similar to
the one signed in 2006 by the BNP-led government - will be followed by a
protocol to work out details.

Dhaka has been anxious to bridge its trade gap that is estimated at $1.2
billion.

Mukherjee, who signed the trade pact and a deal to promote and protect
investments in both countries to boost trade, said the huge gap tilting
heavily in India's favour could not be offset.

'Being a former foreign trade minister, I can most respectfully tell you
there is no mechanism through which bilateral trade between two countries in
respect of each and every country could be balanced. It is not possible,' he
said winding up his visit.

'But surely it is possible to reduce the gap and to keep it within the
manageable limit,' he said, adding that India had taken some measures to
reduce the yawning gap.

The talks reinforced a high measure of political understanding on prickly
issues, both bilateral and regional.

'We categorically assured Mr Pranab Mukherjee that Bangladesh will not
countenance any anti-Indian activities by elements inimical to the interests
of India using Bangladesh territory,' Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni
said.

'Similarly, we have also sought India's cooperation against elements who are
trying to harm Bangladesh,' she said.

The high point of the visit was Mukherjee's 75-minute talks with Hasina with
whom he enjoys a close rapport.

Hasina elaborated on her proposal for a regional task force to combat
terrorism, emphasising that the principal enemy was poverty, which could not
be fought as long as terrorism and militancy thrived.

Hasina said Bangladesh attached great importance to its relations with India
and wanted to maintain good relations with all her neighbours.

Reinforcing ties that have bound the two neighbours, Hasina expressed
gratitude for India's cooperation during Bangladesh's war of independence in
1971, saying: 'Bangladesh will not forget the sacrifice of several thousand
Indian soldiers during the war against Pakistan.'