India wants Bangladeshis resolve their problems: Shivshankar

India viewed that the Bangladeshi people and political parties should resolve their own outstanding issues through dialogue rather than through external intervention or pressure. "I wish to reiterate that India fully respects Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty… A peaceful, stable, democratic, secular and prosperous Bangladesh is in India's own national interest," visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said Wednesday.

Delivering a lecture on 'Creating a South Asian Community:

India-Bangladesh Relations' at the Business Enterprise Institute, he said India attaches the utmost importance to strengthening the friendly and cooperative ties with Bangladesh.

"Better relations between India and Bangladesh are integral to a South Asian community. After all, it was Bangladesh's vision which put forward the idea of SAARC." Menon said it is natural for close neighbours to have problems as he noted intimacy is not always easy.

He said during the foreign office consultations and in meetings with Bangladeshi leaders, they tried to see mutually satisfactory solutions or ways forward together. "We have discussed issues such as security, our land boundary, the rivers that join us and other emotive issues. We have also looked at the complementarities that create our opportunity." About bilateral trade, Menon said over 80% of the bilateral trade is currently routed through Benapole-Petropole land port. He said the two countries would be able to diversify, opening additional routes and Land Customs Stations. He hoped the planned Kolkata-Dhaka passenger train can commence operations soon to become the precursor for a comprehensive network of bus, train and ferry links. Menon said India is willing to improve air connectivity by establishing daily air services to their metropolitan cities-Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata-and to 18 other destinations across India.