Bangladesh-India accord
SEEMINGLY there were high hopes attached to the outcome of the Bangladesh-India summit held on 11-13 January at New Delhi. What is, however, realistic about the outcome of the meeting is an expectation of the opening of an era of enhanced friendship and cooperation between these two close neighbours after a period of 34 years (1975-2009). This, after so many years, of course, requires further building of mutual trust and confidence.
The South Asian regional cooperation (Saarc), aimed at developing the spirit of close cooperation and friendship among South Asian countries, could not achieve its goals. Thus, the only option left for Bangladesh to solve its long outstanding issues is face-to-face dialogue with India.
The AL regime continued for five years (1996-2001) in the past. At that time, it was not possible for AL to take any bold steps, like developing the spirit of friendship with India, because of the slim majority of the party in the parliament, non-cooperation of the then opposition party BNP and the not-so-appreciative government in India, the BJP-led one. Things are now seemingly most favourable for AL: a thumping majority in the parliament and a government in India led by Congress, which assisted us during our struggle for independence.
Both India and Bangladesh need a great deal of conscious will and effort to shake off a feeling of mistrust and develop sufficiently strong confidence in bilateral relations. The distribution of gains from economic cooperation appears to have been evaluated. India attaches much importance to transit facilities through Bangladesh as a means of further integrating the northeastern states with the rest of India.
Bangladesh considers its vital interest to be in the water-sharing arrangements of the common rivers and getting greater access for its exports to the Indian market, given its large trade deficits with India.
Both Bangladesh and India have agreed to increase cooperation in a wide range of fields like security, power, trade, connectivity, water sharing and resolution of long-standing bilateral issues and concerns.
On January 12, 2010, a fifty-point joint communiqué was issued in New Delhi to solve all issues through cooperation and mutual understanding. In regard to the proposed Tipaimukh dam, New Delhi has reassured that it will not take any step that may hurt Dhaka's interests. The issue of sharing Teesta water may be settled by the end of the year.
It may be premature to draw any conclusion about the accord. Total resolution of the issues in the agreement may take considerable time. The issues -- like the Tipaimukh dam, Teesta barrage, allowing utilisation of Chittagong and Chalna ports -- need further study and deliberation.
Mutual trust and confidence cannot grow overnight through some agreements. For them to grow, these agreements need to follow quick resolution of the major sensitive issues. Otherwise they may be trapped in bureaucratic and political complications.
However, all of us should appreciate the urgent need for close cooperation with India and try to receive the benefit from Indian ascendancy, which ultimately play a critical role in increasing investment in our country. Lively discussion on the accord is now needed in the parliament for the sake of quick economic development and alleviation of poverty.
A group of politicians have expressed their desire to reject the accord as they feel that it has either ignored or, even in some areas, acted against the interest of the country. This kind of sweeping allegation against the AL is certainly not tenable. Any allegation whatsoever must be grounded on proof.
A.B.M.S Zahur is a former joint secretary
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