Resolve political differences thru’ talks

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at Dhaka Cantonment Rail Station yesterday jointly inaugurate a broad-gauge locomotive with tank wagons, purchased under $1 billion Indian line of credit. Photo: BSS

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee yesterday said he had asked the Bangladesh leaders to resolve political differences through dialogue and to maintain communal peace and harmony.
Wrapping up a three-day state visit to Bangladesh, his first foreign tour since assuming the highest office last August, he said, "I have conveyed to all my interlocutors (in Bangladesh) the need for an inclusive political process and main-taining communal peace and harmony."
His remarks came at a time when Bangladesh has been hit by days of violence unleashed by activists of Jamaat-e-Islami protesting the trial of its top leaders on war crimes charges. The Jamaat men also attacked Hindus and their houses and temples in several parts of the country.
"We are hopeful that internal political differences can be resolved through dialogue and that the rights of all communities would be fully respected," the president said in a statement he read out to the newsmen accompanying him aboard the aircraft carrying him back to New Delhi.
During his stay in Dhaka, he had meetings with several Bangladeshi leaders including Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad.
However, top opposition leader and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia cancelled her meeting with Pranab.
Asked to comment on this, the president said, "The [Indian] foreign secretary has already briefed you on that."
Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai yesterday said the president was looking forward to meeting Khaleda Zia.
Pranab said during his talks with Bangladeshi leaders he underlined India's commitment to resolve all outstanding issues including Teesta water-sharing treaty and implementation of the land boundary agreement.
While BJP has opposed the land boundary agreement, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has come in the way of the Teesta accord.
However, the president noted that the presence of four parliamentarians of CPI (M), BJP, Trinamool Congress and Congress in his entourage "is reflective of the broad-based support in India, cutting across party lines, to developing strong and friendly relations with Bangladesh”.
Pranab said he was fully satisfied with his visit to Bangladesh.
"My visit has served to reinforce the special importance that the government and people of India attach to developing the best possible relations with an important and large neighbour like Bangladesh," he added.