Ties with India now on solid footing
Referring to the recent visit of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to India, he said the visit provided an opportunity to discuss the entire gamut of relationship in a frank and candid manner.
The foreign minister was addressing a seminar on 'Bangladesh-India Relations: The Context of Saarc and the Emerging Global Scenario' organised by the Centre for Development Research, Bangladesh (CDRB) at Cirdap auditorium in the city.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of international relations department of Dhaka University presented a keynote paper. Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri, former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, former ambassador Masum Ahmed Chowdhury and senior journalist and columnist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury addressed the seminar presided over by CDRB Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley.
Morshed Khan said the relationship between Bangladesh and India is based on many commonalities -- shared history, geographical proximity, ideas, traditions and culture -- and the bonds between the two countries were indelibly cemented during the War of Liberation in 1971.
However, in subsequent years, he said, "Our relationship saw its ups and downs." But in recent times, "our efforts have been aimed at remaining engaged at all levels for the mutual benefit of our two countries."
Referring to high-level bilateral interactions in recent months, the foreign minister said the height of all those interactions was, of course, the meeting of the two prime ministers on the sidelines of the 13th Saarc summit in Dhaka. "Since our two countries were in continuous touch with each other, it helped in carrying forward the relationship to newer heights."
He said a cardinal factor that must be underlined was the recognition that the two countries deal with the government in power and eschew domestic politics.
Terming the visit of Khaleda Zia to India successful, Morshed Khan said both the prime ministers underscored the importance of making full and effective use of the institutional mechanisms and ensuring that they would meet not only regularly but also more frequently and the outcome would be monitored by the political leadership on a continuous basis.
He said there was a free and frank exchange of views during the visit of the PM, with both sides placing their major concerns on the table in a spirit of objectivity, openness and candour. By ring-fencing their concerns, there was a tacit understanding to seek advances towards resolution even on an incremental basis, he added.
The critical issues pertaining to trade, water sharing, adverse impact of water diversion, activities of insurgent groups, militancy and counter-terrorism, border control and management, movement of people across borders and land boundary issues were all firmly placed on the table, he said.
"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working closely to find mutually satisfactory solutions," Morshed Khan said.
Turning to Saarc, he said the 13th summit witnessed a major leap forward for regional cooperation in South Asia and its outcome was more focused, action-oriented and time-bound, compared to the previous summits.
Morshed Khan said Saarc retains a positive potential for economic cooperation and remains a basic harmonising force for security and confidence building within the region and beyond.
Indian High Commissioner Veena Sikri said Khaleda Zia's visit to India has provided the opportunity to strengthen and consolidate the friendly relationship through discussions on all issues of mutual interest -- bilateral, regional and global. "Equally, it was fruitful and most successful in understanding each other's point of view."
On the full range of bilateral issues, she said both the prime ministers directed that existing institutional mechanisms should be strengthened and meetings held more regularly. They agreed that solutions to all issues can be achieved through steady and consistent dialogue and more frequent meetings.
As part of India's commitment to early implementation of decisions taken during the visit of Khaleda Zia, India has already proposed holding of the Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) and the home secretary level talks this month, she added.
"We are now waiting for the response of the Bangladesh government to suggested dates," Veena Sikri said, adding that the home secretary level meetings are important in the search for common solutions to security issues, including the scourge of terrorism.
With more frequent meetings of the JBWG, she said, India hopes to receive an early response to its composite package proposal on the issue of demarcation of remaining 6.5 km border and exchange of enclaves.
Regular meeting of the Joint River Commission will surely move the nations towards greater understanding and mutually acceptable solutions, she said.
The details of Joydevpur-Sealdaha passenger train service will be finalised during the forthcoming meeting of Bangladesh-India Inter Governmental Railway Group beginning on April 16 in Dhaka, she added.
Veena Sikri also sees a revival and even rebirth of Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry as Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between the chambers of commerce and industry of the two countries during the visit of Khaleda Zia.
"To meet the challenges and to benefit from globalisation, we must create a strong bond between us in the regional context, whether through Bimstec or Saarc."
Stressing the formation of a South Asian parliament to promote dialogues among regional powers, former state minister for foreign affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury said, "I don't think any major change is possible without dialogue and consultations on the regional issues."