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India, Bangladesh officials to visit disputed enclaves

Haroon Habib

Third meeting of the Joint Boundary Working Group ended on Monday

DHAKA: Bangladeshi and Indian officials will at an early date pay a joint visit to the enclaves and territories under dispute between the two neighbours, seeking a solution to the boundary problems that date back to Partition in 1947.

The decision came from the 3rd meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) that ended here on Monday — both sides agreeing to accelerate the process of resolving the longstanding issues.

The JBWG, which began its deliberation on Sunday after a gap of four years, decided to meet on an annual basis and its next meeting would be held in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.

"Both sides agreed to make every effort with a view to resolving all outstanding boundary issues at the earliest," Indian delegation leader Mohan Kumar, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs

Ministry, told a media conference on the conclusion of the talks.

The meeting focused on issues such as demarcation of a 6.5-km stretch of the border at Daikhata, Lathitila-Dumabari and Muhuri River and the enclaves and territories in adverse possession — an irritant that often erupts into clashes between the two countries.

Asked how long it might take to thrash out the issues, Mohan Kumar said, "It is a difficult task. But it is important that the meeting took place after four years, and we are trying to understand each other's position."

Asked about the hurdles to resolving the problems, Bangladesh delegation leader Akhtar Ahmed, said it was not a question of any obstacle but "we are trying to overcome the problems. It is an ongoing process."

Mr. Kumar, who read out a joint press release, said the two sides exchanged views on all outstanding boundary issues in a frank and constructive manner.

The JBWG was formed in June 2001 to deal with completion of demarcation of the border on the Bangladesh-India boundary and chalk out modalities to exchange the enclaves and territories in adverse possession. The Group was also entrusted with the task of erecting permanent boundary pillars and, where necessary, on the demarcated boundary and other related matters.

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