Indian minister indicates shift of policy toward Bangladesh

Eyeing the prospect of upcoming election in Bangladesh, Indian minister Mani Shankar Aiyar yesterday said the year 2009 should be a year of India and Bangladesh.
"India's foreign policy with Bangladesh is likely to see a drift after the parliamentary elections in that country," Expressindia.com quoted Aiyar as saying at a seminar in Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.
After the elections in Bangladesh, the northeast states would be actively involved in formulating a fresh foreign policy with that country aiming to pursue the economic prospects of the region, the union minister for development of northeastern region said.
"The political top brass of the northeast has impressed upon the country's foreign policy establishment that the 'Look East Policy' has yielded zero dividends to the region and instead benefited other parts of the country," Aiyar said.
"The government has recognised that economic development in the region has been constrained due to lack of links with the 'natural' economic hinterland in Bangladesh. That is the reason why the Centre has lifted the ban on FDI from the neighbouring country," he added.
Proposing to invite Bangladesh chambers of commerce and also to tour the neighbouring country with the chief ministers of the northeast, he said factors such as globalisation and liberalisation are replacing protectionist policies of the past.
Calling upon the NE states to adopt proactive policies to develop the border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmar, he said moulding the relationship with the neighbouring countries would also improve the national security of India.