Search the Internet          Tips

India, Bangladesh to jointly fight terrorism

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha wrapped up his maiden visit to Bangladesh with a significant economic content imparted to bilateral ties. Dhaka agreed to expand multi-modal transport links to boost bilateral trade and the two countries resolved to make economic linkages a vehicle for enhanced relations.

"The two governments agreed that they will co-operate by joining the international community's war against global terrorism," Sinha said while wrapping up his two-day visit during which he held talks with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and other Bangladeshi politicians.

Sinha's remarks assume significance as they came a day after Bangladeshi Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan assured him that Dhaka would not allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India's interest.

At a luncheon meeting with a select group of editors, Sinha made it clear that India had never played the role of "big brother" in South Asia and asserted that relations with Dhaka would be on an "equal footing".

"India is indeed a big country in all aspects compared to Bangladesh, but I can assure you we will maintain bilateral relations on the basis of sovereign equality," he said.

Bangladesh's decision to expand multi-modal transport links was conveyed to Sinha by Begum Zia, Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told reporters.

The proposal for beefing up multi-modal transport linkages was put forward by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his visit to Dhaka last year to inaugurate the Kolkata-Dhaka bus service.

India has been pressing Bangladesh for years to agree to strengthen transport links between the two countries as a means to strengthen trade and people-to-people contact.

Begum Zia said the Dhaka-Agartala bus service would also be introduced soon. The issue of resuming train services to India would be taken up soon, Chowdhury said.

Sinha, however, said the politically sensitive issue of Bangladesh's gas exports to India did not come up for discussion with the Bangladeshi leadership.

The external affairs minister also called on acting President Jamirrudin Sircar, Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina, and Finance Minister Mohammed Saifur Rahman.

Tell us what you think of this report