PM's visit to Delhi

It has emphasised the need for maintaining the high-est-level political contacts between New Delhi and Dhaka. It has also stressed the need for timely meetings of the joint bodies existing between the two countries. In fact, such meetings are crucial to resolution of all the outstanding issues. The prevailing situation is far from encouraging as the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) has not met in the last three years. The issue of lowering tariff or non-tariff barriers for Bangladeshi commodities by India is to be addressed by the JEC. But it has lapsed into an unduly long period of inaction. However, India has recognised for the first time in the trade agreement that was renewed at New Delhi that there is a huge trade imbalance against Bangladesh.

As for the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), it will have to take up the issue of common river water sharing, focusing on Teesta water in particular. On the Tipaimukh Dam , our foreign secretary has said, following his return from Delhi, that the project won't require any water withdrawal. These are issues that the JRC has to address. We hope that the periodic meetings of the JRC will prepare the grounds for the two governments to work on and find mutually acceptable solutions to the problem of water sharing.

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Finally , we attach great value to the meetings of the Joint Boundary Working Groups. The Groups have to work towards finding a durable solution to the problem of border firing and the resultant loss of lives. The bigger issue of adverse possession and unfinished delimitation of areas will also have to be addressed.

The secretary-level talks between the two countries must be held regularly in order to keep the two sides well informed regarding the latest developments. The emphasis is clearly on greater communication and in-teraction and we believe that will help resolve the tricky issues.