New era of cooperation opens
Indian President Pratibha Patil hands over the Indira Gandhi Peace Award to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday at Rashtrapati Bhaban, New Delhi, while Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh look on. Photo: PID
In a move to build a forward looking relationship, Bangladesh and India have agreed to boost cooperation in a wide range of fields like security, power, trade, connectivity, water sharing, and resolution of other long-standing bilateral issues and concerns.
The prime ministers of the two countries agreed on a vision for the future in pursuit of common good -- bilaterally, regionally and globally.
In a 50-point joint communiqué issued yesterday in New Delhi on the occasion of Bangladesh prime minister's visit to India, the two premiers reiterated their commitment to working together to solve all issues through cooperation and mutual understanding.
The communiqué came out following an Indo-Bangladesh summit at Hyderabad House between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Premier Manmohan Singh on Monday.
Aiming to remove Bangladeshi people's great concern, the Indian premier reiterated the assurance that his government will not take any step regarding the Tipaimukh dam project that might adversely impact Bangladesh.
Recognising the sufferings of the people of both sides in the face of scarcity of flow in the Teesta river during the lean season, the prime ministers expressed that the discussions on sharing Teesta waters should be concluded expeditiously.
They directed their respective water resources ministers to convene the ministerial level meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) in the current quarter of this year.
The commission will also discuss issues relating to the Feni, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers.
Both leaders also agreed on dredging the Ichhamati river and on protecting the Mahananda, Karatoa, Nagar, Kulik, Atrai, Dharla, and Feni rivers.
The prime minister of India agreed to support implementation of Bangladesh's strategy to dredge rivers for flood control, navigation and access to ports. In that context, India agreed to provide dredgers to Bangladesh on an urgent basis. Bangladesh indicated the need for 9 dredgers.
On the issue of maritime border dispute between the two countries, the premiers agreed on the need for amicable demarcation. They noted proceedings under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should be initiated, and in that context India welcomed a visit by a Bangladesh delegation.
Both prime ministers agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues as well, keeping in view the spirit of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement. They agreed to convene the Joint Boundary Working Group to take the process forward.
According to the communiqué, Bangladesh agreed to allow India to use Mongla and Chittagong seaports for movement of goods to and from India through road and rail.
Bangladesh also conveyed its intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access to those ports as well.
Both prime ministers agreed that RohanpurSingabad broad gauge railway link will be available for Bangladesh for transit to Nepal. Bangladesh informed India of its intention to convert Radhikapur Birol railway line into broad gauge, and requested railway transit link to Bhutan as well.
It was agreed that trucks from Bhutan and Nepal will be allowed to enter about 200 metres into the zero point at Banglabandha at Banglabandha-Phulbari land customs station. Necessary arrangements will be mutually agreed upon and put in place by both countries.
Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the premiers noted that security remains a priority for both countries, as terrorists, insurgents and criminals respect no boundaries.
They underscored the need for both countries to actively cooperate on security issues. Both leaders reiterated the assurance that the territory of either will not be allowed for activities inimical to the other, and resolved not to allow their respective territories to be used for training, sanctuary and other operations by domestic or foreign terrorist/militant and insurgent organisations, and their operatives.
They agreed that the respective border guarding forces will exercise restraint, and underscored the importance of regular meetings between the two border security forces to curtail illegal cross border activities, and to prevent loss of lives.
Bangladesh requested assistance for constructing road infrastructure in Dhaka, including flyovers. India agreed to consider the request.
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