Mistrust about India among Bangladeshis \\\'growing\\\'

Experts at a seminar in the city observed Monday that mistrust about India among Bangladeshis is growing as various important bilateral issues, especially the Teesta water sharing deal and ratification of Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between the two neighbouring countries, have long remained unsolved, reports UNB.

They said both sides, especially India, should come up to immediately address the issues, including stopping killings by BSF along the border, to remove the mistrust and anti-Indian sentiment.

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) arranged the international seminar, titled 'Contemporary Thoughts on Bangladesh-India Relations: Challenges and Opportunities', in the city.

Experts from both Bangladesh and India took part in the daylong seminar held at the BIISS auditorium.

Addressing the seminar, Sitaram Sharma, Chairman of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS), said India

needs to play a more important, proactive and leading role in improving, strengthening and consolidating bilateral relations with Bangladesh.

"India should look for an equal partnership, not insisting on special relationship," he said adding, "It's Delhi's challenge to reassure Bangladesh… and to do so in a way that builds the largest political consensus for mutual trust. Anti-India feelings have existed in Bangladesh to some extent since the Independence struggle, especially in its military circles."