Seeking to put behind the recent strain in bilateral ties, India and Bangladesh agreed to set up coordinated border patrolling and finalise an extradition treaty on Saturday, even though differences persisted on New Delhi's concerns on illegal migration from the neighbouring country.
External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, on his first visit to Dhaka after the United Progressive Alliance government assumed office last year, told reporters at a joint press meet with his Bangladesh counterpart Morshed Khan that he had taken up India's concerns regarding illegal migration from Bangladesh and proposed a high-level meeting to discuss the issue.
"We do not agree that there is any illegal migration from Bangladesh," Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayatuddin said, adding there were mechanisms for identifying illegal people on each other's country. He said Dhaka had "taken note" of India's proposal and there will be further discussion on it.
On the issue of UN reforms, including expansion of the Security Council, Bangladesh said New Delhi's request for its support to India's candidature for a permanent seat, as also the G-4 draft resolution, would receive "active and friendly consideration" from it, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary assured that his country's territory will not be allowed to be used for terrorism and extremism against any neighbouring nation, including India. He said both countries were considering an extradition treaty. Saran said both the extradition treaty and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty were under consideration.
Describing Natwar Singh as a "dear friend" and his visit a "milestone," Morshed Khan said the two sides did not "shy away from discussing any issue." Khan said they also discussed the SAARC process and reaffirmed the commitment to further integration of the region.
Singh's trip is an important build-up to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit in November for the twice-deferred SAARC summit. Observing that India attaches the highest importance to its ties with Bangladesh, Natwar Singh said, "We are committed to strengthen the relationship through dialogue on the basis of friendship, trust and understanding."
"Even when there were some strains in our relationship, there was no affect on our personal regard for each other," he said.
The external affairs minister said the two sides had "useful and detailed" exchange of views on issues of mutual interest. Both sides have agreed on the need for the best management of their borders, Singh said.
"We also agreed that it is necessary to check these illegal movements and activities, which are only resulting in loss of revenues to both governments, and the criminalisation of the border and exacerbating relations between the two border guarding forces," he said.
Singh said while there were "some differences" in the interpretation of the 1975 guidelines, both sides were committed to maintaining a peaceful, trouble-free border. According to the 1975 border guidelines, any existing defence structure within 150 yards of the borders would be demolished.
Singh said he hoped the visit will provide the necessary impetus for other high-level exchanges between the two countries.
On threats posed by terrorism, Saran said the global scourge has to be fought collectively, "This is no longer India's problem or Bangladesh's problem. It is a global phenomenon." He said India and Bangladesh have a common understanding and strong mutual interests in curbing terrorist activities, particularly the misuse of Indo-Bangla borders by elements that are inimical to the interests of both countries.
"We have to join hands in order to deal with this problem," he said. Singh and Khan first had a 45-minute one-on-one meeting followed by delegation-level talks lasting nearly two hours. Singh said he will deliver a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh Premier Khaleeda Zia when he calls on her. He will also be meeting leader of opposition Sheikh Hasina and other leaders.
The Indian side highlighted the importance of greater connectivity and opening of more land customs stations on the Indo-Bangladesh border in order to enhance people-to-people contacts and economic exchanges.
Singh said the two sides also discussed the establishment of more bus services between different states in Bangladesh and India to facilitate the movement of people. Natwar also said that under a cultural agreement more scholarships would be given to Bangladeshi students and teachers.
As part of high-level contacts, Water Resources Minister P R Dasmunshi would be visiting Dhaka at the end of August to discuss cooperation in water resources. This will be followed by visits of Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Mani Shankar Aiyar.
The two sides also discussed the proposed Myanmar-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline, which in New Delhi's opinion was economic logic of benefits accepted by all the three countries, Singh said.
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