The Hindu : Front Page : India, Bangladesh to remove irritants in ties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 07, 2005

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India, Bangladesh to remove irritants in ties

Haroon Habib

Will check illegal movements and activities that cause huge revenue loss to both nations

DHAKA: Bangladesh and India on Saturday agreed to remove irritants in their ties through dialogue and work together to shape their "common destiny" for the better.

The commitment was made at two hours oftalks between External Affairs Ministers K. Natwar Singh and M. Morshed Khan here.

"The talks were very fruitful. We have not shied away from anything. We have placed everything on the table and discussed everything in a very frank and candid atmosphere," Mr. Khan told a joint news conference.

He described Mr. Singh's trip as a "milestone in bilateral relations" and said, "we have decided that this visit will be a visit of difference and will be mutually beneficial to the common people of the two countries."

The two sides agreed to establish more land-custom stations to facilitate economic exchanges and people-to-people contacts. The Indian side sought multientry visas for Indian travellers through the Dhaka-Agartala bus route and proposed more bus services from Bangladesh to different States.

About crucial issues of the border, which witnessed tension periodically, Mr. Singh said they agreed on the best management of the frontier and checking illegal movements and activities that caused huge revenue losses to both governments.

While acknowledging that there existed "some differences" in interpretations of the 1975 Border Guidelines, both sides agreed to maintain a peaceful border free of illegal movement or any trouble, Mr. Singh said.

Bangladesh agreed to the Indian proposal that a high-level meeting be held to discuss illegal movements.

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