Indian HC stresses increased cooperation in all sectors

FE Team | Published: November 08, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Describing the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh as 'very good', Indian High Commissioner (HC) in Dhaka Pinak Ranjan Chakraborti Wednesday emphasised increased cooperation between the two countries in all sectors, including economy and trade, reports UNB.
"The relationship, at present, between the two countries is very good. Now Bangladesh and India are working for setting up of SAARCPOL, SAARC University, etc. But, I think, the relations can be strengthened further by increasing cooperation in various sectors, including economy and trade," he said.
The Indian envoy was talking to the news agency on the sidelines of a discussion, marking the 23rd death anniversary of former Indian Premier Indira Gandhi.
Bangladesh-India Friendship Association arranged the discussion in the CIRDAP auditorium with former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor (DUVC) Prof AK Azad Chowdhury in the chair.
Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique of DU's Mass Communication and Journalism Department, former Rajshahi University VC Prof Abdul Khalek, former ambassadors Mostafa Faruque Mohammad, AHG Mohiuddin and general secretary of the association Ismat Kadir Gama also addressed the meeting.
Asked about the latest development of the long-awaited Bangladesh-India rail communication, Pinak Ranjan said the process of establishing the rail communication was not progressing well for some reasons.
"The main problem is that India wants to erect security fences over no man's land up to the railway station, but Bangladesh has objections about it. The setting up of the fences is necessary when it comes to India's security," he said.
Replying to another question whether India would continue the process if Bangladesh remains rigid on its stand over the security fence, Pinak Ranjan said, "We haven't yet received any official complaint against the fencing plan."
Earlier, addressing the discussion meeting, he recalled the contributions of Indira Gandhi in the 1971 liberation war of Bangladesh saying that Bangladesh's history would remain incomplete without Indira's name.
Arefin Siddque called for establishing various structures for preserving the memories of Indira Gandhi in Bangladesh.