Talks end, enclave issue still unresolved
The Indo-Bangla Joint Working Group meeting ended yesterday without resolving the outstanding issue of enclaves, which Dhaka had pressed all through the talks, reports UNB.
However, sources close to the meeting, which was held at State Guesthouse Padma, said the two sides finalised the list of enclaves that were supposed to be exchanged years ago.
India said it would have to amend its constitution before it could ratify the 1974 Mujib-Indira agreement.
Bangladesh ratified the treaty immediately, but India has not creating a lot of trouble between the two next-door neighbours.
Sources said both sides agreed to complete the demarcation of the remaining 6.5 kilometres of border by May or June of this year. Demarcation of other portions has been completed.
The officials proposed regular 'flag' meetings on the frontier to avert the kinds of tensions that affect bilateral relations.
According to the minutes signed to close the talks, the two joint secretaries who led their respective sides in the meeting will be the officials who hammer out all border disputes.
"If any misunderstanding happen on the border, the two officials will be informed instantly in order to take effective action, said G.K. Pillai, the Indian joint secretary (northeast).
Officials also recommended that India and Bangladesh sign a fresh visa agreement to make it easier for citizens of both countries.
Bangladesh and India also agreed to co-operate to combat the illegal flow of drugs, arms and explosives across the border. They also agreed to crack down on the trafficking of women and children.
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