Editorial
Why all these political theatrics?
Nearly four-decade old trade agreement is only being renewed
Ever since Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Dhaka had been slated, the opposition BNP found it politically convenient to raise concerns over perceived transit and corridor accords between India and Bangladesh being in the offing. Then, with the Cabinet approving renewal of the pre-existing bilateral trade agreement, the BNP has literally raised a hue and cry threatening street protests.
To the BNP's public pretense on a routine and pre-existing bilateral protocol, the AL was quick to point out, as if to sanctify her position, that the three-year trade accord was signed by former President Ziaur Rahman in 1980 and that it is now being only renewed by the AL government. The facts of the matter though, are: it was originally signed by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972 and since that time on it has been renewed every three years over the last nearly four decades under HM Ershad, Khaleda Zia during two terms and Sheikh Hasina. It was last renewed under BNP government on March 21, 2006 and it now falls due for renewal under the present AL government.
Why is the BNP playing a game to mislead the public? Whenever it comes to dealing with India why must we betray a lack of conviction in doing something that is intrinsically proper, customary in inter-state relations and historically sound.
The constant feature of the accord over the last nearly four decades as embodied in Article VIII reads: "The two governments agree to make mutually beneficial arrangements for the use of their waterways, roadways and railways for commerce between the two countries for passage of goods between two places in one country through the territory of the other". The AL government is essentially renewing it.
However, if and when questions of reaching accord on transit or transshipment should arise, the matter should be openly and comprehensibly debated in the Parliament to carry public opinion with it, and so that it can be a win-win, sustainable agreement for all the parties concerned.
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