Editorial
India-Bangladesh foreign secretaries' meet in Dhaka
A positive development in relations envisioned
THE just-concluded talks between the foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India appear to have yielded some rather encouraging signs of how ties between the two countries could be taken forward along positive lines in the coming days. There can hardly be any denying that little, if any, headway could be made in resolving some major bilateral issues over the years. The mood in both capitals, however, has been undergoing a perceptible shift, particularly against the background of the re-election of the Congress-led government in India and the election of a new government in Bangladesh. At the operative level, this mood has been reflected in the discussions between foreign secretaries Nirupama Rao and Mijarul Quayes in Dhaka.
Now that the talks have taken place and preparations are on for the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Delhi, it is important to stress the need for substantive action in order to build on the tenor of the talks. Needless to say, India can play a decisive role in a building of confidence between it and Bangladesh in some major areas. Clearly, one such area is trade, which of course was a focal point at the negotiations. A new dimension can surely be introduced into the overall structure of bilateral relations, especially through tackling head on the question of the trade deficit Bangladesh has with India. Much has been written and talked about on this theme for years; and we believe the time has now come for a purposeful handling of the subject between the two sides. From India there have been in recent months some appreciable signs of cooperation in its approach to Bangladesh. We are, therefore, of the view that a lifting of tariff as well as non-tariff barriers can now be looked upon as a distinct possibility and that it is therefore a subject that should be pursued and resolved in earnest.
An added component of the talks in Dhaka relates to the question of rail transit through India for Bangladesh and Nepal. We note that during the prime minister's recent visit to Bhutan, transit facilities for Thimphu through India and to Bangladesh formed an important part of the deliberations. All these matters, broadly speaking, emphasise the growing need as well as inevitability of sub-regional collectivity in South Asia. It is thus a goal that India and Bangladesh, along with Nepal and Bhutan, should strive to attain as quickly as possible.
The foreign secretaries' talks have earmarked a few other areas where Dhaka and Delhi have demonstrated keenness in tackling the issues. On Teesta water sharing and on certain unresolved questions relating to Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves and Tin Bigha corridor, the urgency of a satisfactory resolution has been acknowledged by both sides. We would like to think of the development as an opening of some new windows. Let this opening help build frontiers of peace and cooperation in this part of the world.
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