Border takes up Day 1 of Indo-Bangla talks

Held after a 15-month gap, the talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Bangladesh focused on the security of the 4,000-km long bo...

Held after a 15-month gap, the talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Bangladesh focused on the security of the 4,000-km long border between the two countries.

Foreign secretary of India Shyam Saran and his counterpart from Bangladesh Hemayetuddin also discussed infiltrations, Dhaka’s position on the anti-India militant groups in Bangladesh and the tensions between the BSF and the Bangladesh Rifles.

New Delhi has for long been concerned about former ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia (believed to be holed up in a Dhaka prison) being allowed to communicate with ULFA guerrillas in India, though the MEA did not make any statement whether this was discussed today.

The talks will continue tomorrow.

Story continues below this ad

Another issue that has played its role in tension between the two countries is government intelligence indicating the presence of ISI operatives who aid anti-Indian militants, in Bangladesh, something both Islamabad and Dhaka have denied. This continues to be a concern, however, and is likely to have been discussed today.

During his 20-minute meeting with Hemayetuddin, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said India was ready to provide “maximum number of visas” to Bangladesh citizens and added cooperation with Dhaka was an important part of New Delhi’s policy. Cooperation on water resources was also discussed.

Describing India as “the larger neighbour,” Hemayetuddin said Bangladesh was keen for more people-to-people contacts and economic cooperation with India.

The issue of smuggling and illegal trade practices will come up tomorrow as two sides discuss illegal movement of goods between the borders. Dhaka would like to see larger access for its products and a reduction of trade gap.

Story continues below this ad

However, officials say, a more focused approach was possible only with higher-level visits. PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to the SAARC Summit this November will be the first by an Indian PM in six years.

There is a feeling that the relations between the two countries have been allowed to drift. Today’s and tomorrow’s discussions are likely to pave way for a renewal of such visits.