Bangla can be springboard for development of north east: PM

In an interview to Bangladesh’s national news agency BSS on the eve of his visit,the prime minister also said that counter-terror cooperation was also crucial between the two countries to confront the challenge of terrorism “head on”.

“Bangladesh can become the springboard for the development of India’s North-East region as economic integration has become the trend in all parts of the world,” he said.

India has been keen on better transit links – both land and sea – across Bangladesh to its land-locked north-eastern states,and Singh’s visit will see him discuss the issue in detail with his counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

He said India has already opened up rail and road routes for transit to link Nepal and Bhutan with Bangladesh,but his country would “move only at a pace with which Bangladesh is comfortable” in regard to the transit through its territories to the north eastern region.

Singh also said he was “extremely pleased” that the Chief Ministers of the states neighbouring Bangladesh – Tripura,Mizoram,Meghalaya and Assam – will be accompanying him.

The five states share an over 4,000 km border with Bangladesh,including nearly 3,000 km of land border.

The two sides are expected to finalise a comprehensive border agreement to settle the protracted boundary issues.

However,in a last minute disappointment,West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banejree dropped out of the visit,apparently unhappy over the draft agreement over sharing of Teesta river waters.

Asked how he would dispel the fears among some quarters in Bangladesh over the offering of the transit facilities to India,he said this was entirely a sovereign decision for Bangladesh to take and “we respect whatever decision Bangladesh takes”.

“However,I see no reason for Bangladesh to be fearful of improving transport and infrastructure connectivity with India. There is a lot that can be done for the benefit of both countries in this regard,including through inland waterways,” he said.

Singh said India and Bangladesh have got a historic opportunity to open a “new chapter” in ties and his visit to

Dhaka demonstrates New Delhi’s “readiness to do so”.

“The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shown the political will and desire to not only resolve long-standing issues,but to broaden the horizons of our cooperation… both our countries have a historic opportunity before them to open a new chapter in the relationship,” he said.

Asked how India and Bangladesh could fight the menace of terrorism more effectively,Singh said security remained a common concern for both our countries as “terrorists and criminals do not respect any national borders”.

“It is therefore (of) paramount importance that we work together to confront this challenge head on… I am happy that India and Bangladesh recognise this imperative and have been cooperating well in the recent past,” Singh said.

The Prime Minister said India would leave no stone unturned to promote balanced,sustainable and inclusive

development of the South Asian region.

“The joint communique issued jointly by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and me at the end of her State Visit to India in January 2010 was comprehensive and forward-looking. The focus on both sides has been to work together to expeditiously implement various initiatives outlined in the Joint Communique,” Singh said.

Singh said he was satisfied with the implementation of those initiatives,”but there is always scope to do much

better”.

“I am encouraged by the fact that we have put in place a broad-based agenda of action covering every sector,whether it is political exchanges,trade and economic cooperation,power exchange,water resources,border management,education,cultural contacts,people-to-people exchanges,better border and transport infrastructure or connectivity,” he said.

He said some of the initiatives would “have immediate impact,while others,by their nature,will take more time to make a difference (but) what is clear is that we have a blueprint and a roadmap and we are well on the way to its implementation”.

Replying to a question on the ups and downs in India’s ties with Bangladesh since 1971,Singh said India has always valued its relations with the neighbouring country based on sovereign equality and mutual respect.

“Besides several common features,our relationship is anchored in shared history and similar developmental aspirations. Our destinies are interlinked. Hence it is natural for both sides to follow the path of close cooperation and partnership,” he said.

Asked what message he would carry to Dhaka during his visit,Singh said: “the message that I have for the people of Bangladesh is that there is great affection,respect and regard for the people of Bangladesh in our country”.

“And that it will be my effort to work with Her Excellency the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to strengthen our links in trade,in economy,in investment,in culture,in security matters,in every possible way that we have outlined in the joint communique which was issued in January,2010,” he said.