No decision on transit in Delhi talks

No decision on India's proposal for transit will be taken at the foreign secretary-level talks beginning in New Delhi tomorrow, said Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain who flies to the Indian capital today.
“Nothing to be worried, no decision will be taken at this point in time,” he told reporters yesterday.
Quoting the foreign adviser's statement made to dispel speculations over the transit issue, Touhid reaffirmed that nothing would be done against Bangladesh's interest.
Earlier, Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakarbarty had told reporters that the transit issue would be raised at the foreign secretary-level meeting in Delhi as India is interested in it.
Touhid said usually such decision is not taken at this level. Besides, he said, “It will take time. It needs scrutiny.”
He observed that many newspaper reports about the transit are speculative and devoid of facts.
The foreign secretary said the Bangladesh side asks for reducing the huge trade deficit with the bigger economic neighbour that currently stands at more than $ 1.9 billion.
He said Bangladesh will urge India to take unilateral measures that include removal of non-tariff barriers to Bangladeshi exports, duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to Indian market and mutual recognition of standard.
In reply to a question, Touhid said the trade gap could be reduced by reducing negative list of products and removal of non-tariff barriers on India's part.
He said Bangladesh will raise the issues of implementing the Land Boundary Agreement, border demarcation of the remaining 6.5km, early convening of meeting of the Joint Boundary Working Group, unfettered access through Tinbigha corridor, exchange of enclaves and adversely possessed territories, the killing of unarmed civilians by the India BSF, early convening of the 37th session of the Joint Rivers Commission.
“India is our friendly neighbor, and I believe any problem can be resolved through discussion,” he said, adding, “We will try to find common ground on all the bilateral issues.”
Touhid indicated that the Bangladesh-India Home Secretary-level talks may be held next month when the boundary issue will be discussed.