The New Nation - Internet Edition

OFFICIALS of Bangladesh and India have concluded a three-day bilateral conference in Dhaka. They discussed the issue of demarcation of the maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal, where the Talpatty island formed in recent years. The island is located beside the Hariabhanga river, which has changed its course over the years. The data on the flow of the river, the formation of the island, South Talpatty, the population living on the char plus its linkage with border of Bangladesh have been presented in the conference.

The authorities in India have reportedly adopted dilatory tactics for resolution of the problem. The issue was taken up at a bilateral conference in 1982, followed by the Dhaka conference that ended on September 17 last. The Indian officials attending the conference avoided giving their views on the progress of negotiations. No one knows when Indian authorities will join a bilateral conference on the Talpatty issue again.

The concerned official of the government of Bangladesh, of course, asserted that negotiations and conferences on the Talpatty zone would continue for settlement of the issue. The pattern looks like the dilatory tactics followed in respect of water sharing of the Ganges and other common rivers. The Joint Rivers Commission has not succeeded in reaching agreements to ensure equitable flow of water to the down-stream zones from common rivers. Even the demarcation of land boundary in some areas remains unresolved. That being, so, the sufferings of people living in the Talpatty island may continue. Settlement of the maritime boundary issue thus looks difficult. The government should take all measures to overcome this because maritime boundary should be drawn at the shortest possible time.