Saifur's Delhi trip

It is significant that Saifur Rahman, who went to attend a three-day India Economic Summit co-organised by World Economic Forum and Confederation of Indian Industry, met with a whole range of Indian leaders: ministers for finance, defence, commerce, agriculture and petroleum, the national security adviser to prime minister, former prime minister and finance minister as well as business magnates including Ratan Tata. We take it as a reflection of India's growing interest in improving her ties with Bangladesh based on frequent and result-oriented exchanges of views between leaders and ministers of the two countries.

A look at the items of agenda encompassed in Saifur Rahman's talks with the Indian leaders convinces one of the fact that vexing issues were discussed at length and faced up to in earnest. This speaks of maturity in terms of approaches being taken to bilateral negotiations, something that had been missed earlier on. Trans-national gas pipeline and land transit for Bangladesh through India connecting Nepal came under discussion, in addition to bilateral trade barriers and trade deficit where new angles need to be taken. With Safta operations envisioned in 2006, one sees bright prospects in the horizon for promotion of trade and investment in the region.

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Saifur Rahman's visit was set against the backdrop of a spurt being provided to the SAARC process by virtue of a much improved Indo-Pak relationship. The SAARC summit in Dhaka is round the corner and, hopefully, the overall ambience will have a reinforcing effect on the ongoing process of improving bilateral relationships within South Asia.