Historic deals on the cards
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Front PageHistoric deals on the cards
Foreign secys tell press of Manmohan's visit
Diplomatic Correspondent
Agreements on the Teesta water sharing and border demarcation will be signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh “well before” the end of the year.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said this at a joint press conference after the secretary-level consultation between the two countries in Dhaka yesterday.
"I've every reason to be optimistic that the prime minister's visit will be extremely successful and highly beneficial for the people of both the countries," she said.
Her Bangladeshi counterpart Mijarul Quayes also expressed optimism in this regard.
They led a nine-member delegation each at the meeting where issues including security, land border and its management, connectivity, cooperation in water resources, power and trade and commerce sectors, status of projects under the $1 billion Indian loan and Manmohan's visit were discussed.
Rao said the water resources ministries of the two countries are working on the details of the Teesta water sharing and a deal to this effect will be signed when Manmohan comes to Dhaka.
She, however, would not disclose the percentage of the water to be shared, saying the issue will be resolved at the highest level, meaning by the two prime ministers.
"I won't discuss the framework or percentage of the water share Bangladesh will receive from the Teesta river. But don't think I'm trying to hide something. This is a very sensitive issue,” Rao said.
The Indian foreign secretary also said the Joint Boundary Working Group is working with an intention to reach agreements on demarcating the 6.5-km border, transfer of enclaves and adversely possessed territories.
On killing of Bangladeshi nationals by Indian border guards at the border, she said they are concerned about it and a way will be worked out to stop it.
"We are strongly against all sorts of violence and killing in the border. We condemn whether an Indian or a Bangladeshi is killed. Most of the killings take place at night and citizens of both the countries losses their lives, which is very unfortunate.”
The Indian side has decided to use non-lethal weapons to stop loss of life in some areas on experimental basis.
Asked about the $1 billion loan under condition that Indian companies will supply 80 percent of the project materials, she said there is still scope to discuss it as “we want to help Bangladesh with open heart and see the prosperity of the Bangladeshi people.”
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes said Dhaka has offered a regional transit, not a bilateral one, so that Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan can all gain from it.
Regarding charging India for using Bangladesh territory, he said the fees will be settled when both the sides agree and that they are working on it.
On settlement of maritime boundary, Quayes said the matter will be resolved through discussion and legal procedure, and neither side will go for exploration of oil and gas in the deep sea before settlement.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Front PageHistoric deals on the cards
Foreign secys tell press of Manmohan's visit
Diplomatic Correspondent
Agreements on the Teesta water sharing and border demarcation will be signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh “well before” the end of the year.
Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said this at a joint press conference after the secretary-level consultation between the two countries in Dhaka yesterday.
"I've every reason to be optimistic that the prime minister's visit will be extremely successful and highly beneficial for the people of both the countries," she said.
Her Bangladeshi counterpart Mijarul Quayes also expressed optimism in this regard.
They led a nine-member delegation each at the meeting where issues including security, land border and its management, connectivity, cooperation in water resources, power and trade and commerce sectors, status of projects under the $1 billion Indian loan and Manmohan's visit were discussed.
Rao said the water resources ministries of the two countries are working on the details of the Teesta water sharing and a deal to this effect will be signed when Manmohan comes to Dhaka.
She, however, would not disclose the percentage of the water to be shared, saying the issue will be resolved at the highest level, meaning by the two prime ministers.
"I won't discuss the framework or percentage of the water share Bangladesh will receive from the Teesta river. But don't think I'm trying to hide something. This is a very sensitive issue,” Rao said.
The Indian foreign secretary also said the Joint Boundary Working Group is working with an intention to reach agreements on demarcating the 6.5-km border, transfer of enclaves and adversely possessed territories.
On killing of Bangladeshi nationals by Indian border guards at the border, she said they are concerned about it and a way will be worked out to stop it.
"We are strongly against all sorts of violence and killing in the border. We condemn whether an Indian or a Bangladeshi is killed. Most of the killings take place at night and citizens of both the countries losses their lives, which is very unfortunate.”
The Indian side has decided to use non-lethal weapons to stop loss of life in some areas on experimental basis.
Asked about the $1 billion loan under condition that Indian companies will supply 80 percent of the project materials, she said there is still scope to discuss it as “we want to help Bangladesh with open heart and see the prosperity of the Bangladeshi people.”
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes said Dhaka has offered a regional transit, not a bilateral one, so that Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan can all gain from it.
Regarding charging India for using Bangladesh territory, he said the fees will be settled when both the sides agree and that they are working on it.
On settlement of maritime boundary, Quayes said the matter will be resolved through discussion and legal procedure, and neither side will go for exploration of oil and gas in the deep sea before settlement.
