No new deal on transit

No agreement will be signed for transit to India during Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit early next month, prime minister's International Affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi said yesterday.
There will be no need to sign any transit agreement afresh, he said, as in 1974 Bangladesh and India inked bilateral trade agreement that envisages the road, rail and waterway transit facilities.
“We don't need any new agreement on transit. It is not a new subject,” Gowher said, adding since 1947 there had been road and rail links between the then East Pakistan and India but they were snapped by the Pakistani rulers during the Indo-Pak war in 1965.
He was speaking at an iftar organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at a city restaurant.
He, however, said the two countries required to sign a protocol for operation of transit facilities under the existing bilateral trade agreement.
Replying to a question, the adviser said during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's tour to the city on Sep 6 and 7, Dhaka and New Delhi will sign a framework agreement on a number of issues including water sharing, trader and investment and culture and education.
The adviser said agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) will be signed for demarcation of 6.5-kilometre border, exchange of 162 enclaves and adversely possessed land, 24-hour movement of Bangladeshis through the Tin Bigha Corridor, a strip of land that connects the Bangladeshi enclave with its mainland.
Signing of interim deals on sharing of the Teesta river water and import of 250MW electricity is also on the job list.
Besides, railway connectivity between Akhaura and Agartala and Rohanpur and Singabad will be inked during Manmohan Singh's visit.
About Bangladesh's offer to India to use Chittagong and Mongla seaport, Gowher Rizvi said, for operation of the facility a protocol has to be signed. He, however, did not mention any signing date.
On another question regarding the two seaports and transit to India, he said Bangladesh will have to construct necessary infrastructure, roads, rail tracks, bridges, and expand and modernise ports facilities, and fix the transit fees.
When asked about the probable time to allow India to use the transit, the adviser said, “At this moment our roads are not at all ready. First transit through waterways will be made operational and then the rail and road.”
About transit fees, he said an expert committee, formed to fix up transit fees, has already submitted its report to the government. He did not go into details.
At this stage, he said, fixing up transit fees is highly complicated as many factors like cost of depreciation, construction of infrastructure, maintenance, lighting, environmental damages are yet to be assessed.
“Bangladesh will fix a rate after examining all these factors; but it will not be wise to fix such a rate that may discourage the transit users,” he added.
The adviser hoped the entire cost of investment to construct roads and rails will be recovered within seven to 15 years.
“All I can say is Bangladesh will be benefited through transit. Besides, its internal trade will grow by four to seven percent when the transit infrastructure will be ready. The infrastructure will be used for not only transit purposes but also domestic purposes.” he told the diplomatic correspondents.
About the visit of Manmohan Singh, he said, “This is going to be a historic, memorable and comprehensive visit.” Five chief ministers from Indian states neighbouring Bangladesh will accompany him, he added.
Gowher said any agreement to be signed will be made public and, if necessary, will be placed in parliament. Nothing will be kept secret.
Responding to some apprehension that corridor will be given to India in the name of transit, he said it is intended to confuse the people.
DCAB President Raheed Ejaz and General Secretary Abdul Majid made introductory remarks about the organisation.