The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh yesterday emphasised the need for creating conditions for increasing two-way trade to minimise the huge trade gap as the foreign secretary level talks kicked off in New Delhi, an official statement said here.

"The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary emphasised the need for creating conditions for increasing two-way trade between Bangladesh and India with particular emphasis on bridging the existing trade gap between the two countries," it said.

The first-day talks also focused on greater connectivity when Foreign Secretary Md Touhid Hossain and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon welcomed the commencement of the Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express, said the statement.

They also noted the need for reducing the waiting time of the passengers travelling by the Maitree Express at the borders.

"The discussions on connectivity also focused on better utilisation of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, improvement of border infrastructure to facilitate trade, and the need for approaching specific issues through relevant forums," the statement read.

Hossain also requested for greater access of Bangladeshi exports to India and urged the Indian Foreign Secretary to expedite the completion of export of the remaining of the five- lakh tonnes of rice to Bangladesh in line with an earlier agreement.

He also urged the Indian authorities to consider complete withdrawal of restrictions on export of rice from India.

The statement signed by Bangladesh's deputy high commissioner to India M Zulfiqur Rahman said the first day talks also "extensively" reviewed other issues of bilateral relations as the routine two-day annual consultation began in the Indian capital.

It said the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also had wide- ranging discussions with his Indian counterpart on ways to make tangible progress on water-related issues.

He in particular urged India to expedite work on reaching agreement on sharing of waters of the common rivers, especially of the Teesta.

The two Foreign Secretaries also agreed on the need for the convening of the relevant technical committees to carry on the work in this regard.

They reached a decision to work closely to counter the threats posed by terrorism and other illegal cross-border activities like smuggling of fake currencies, narcotics and drugs, and arms.

Both the delegations expressed satisfaction about the working of the existing functional mechanisms while expressing the hope that they would remain engaged and continue to have dialogue and discussions on various issues to address specific concerns.

The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary invited his Indian counterpart to visit Bangladesh for the next Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) at a convenient time.

He also paid courtesy calls on Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Indian State Minister for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh.

Transit issue

Bdnews24.com, adds: Foreign secretary-level talks between Bangladesh and India began in New Delhi yesterday, foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said.

In reply to reporters questions on Indian transit privileges, at the foreign ministry, Iftekhar repeated his comment of the previous day.

"Nothing will be agreed in the ongoing Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi that is perceived to be against the interests of Bangladesh," he said.

Foreign Secretary Md Touhid Hossain and his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon are leading their respective sides in the two-day long Foreign Office Consultation.

In the lead up to the talks, the Indian transit issue has come into focus in Bangladesh with the media reporting widespread misgiving that the country's interests would be hindered by any such agreement.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will propose the launch of a direct passenger bus service between Dhaka and the North Eastern Indian cities of Shillong and Gawahati.

India has long been lobbying for Dhaka to give India passage to reach its seven North Eastern states separated from the rest of the country by Bangladesh.