The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar here yesterday said a caretaker government has no jurisdiction to give transit to another country, as it would put the country's sovereignty at stake.

They also suggested formation of a regional commission to deal with the much-talked-about transit issue with the neighbouring country India.

Institute for Policy Research (IPR) organised the seminar titled 'Bangladesh-India Transit: An Assessment' at the Engineers Institution with Dr Mahbub Ullah of Development Studies Department of Dhaka University in the chair.

Former Energy Adviser and ex-Chairman of Bangladesh Board of Investment Mahmudur Rahman, former chairman of Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Dr Rezwan Siddique, teacher of Dhaka University's Political Science department Mahbubur Rahman, among others, addressed the seminar.

They said South Asian countries need to be involved in multilateral talks and there should not be any bilateral talks between India and Bangladesh.

Mahmudur Rahman alleged that India does not want transit. "It rather looks for a corridor in Bangladesh to turn it into an Indian state like the seven sisters." He demanded resignation of Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekher Chowdhury for his "present activities to give transit to India." The speakers said the Indian pressure to have access to her northeastern states through Bangladesh has mounted in recent months.

They said India proved itself as an untrustworthy friend while helping Bangladesh during the liberation war and it later secretly built Farakka Barrage.