A discourteous diplomat
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Tanvir Nowaz
THE recent outrageous comments of the Indian high commissioner against Bangladeshis were uncalled for and unjustifiable. His comments about water experts, and the visa seekers were highly offensive, deplorable and bereft of any diplomatic niceties.
He was arrogant in his remarks. Such remarks from a diplomat are bound to offend the feelings of the citizens of any host country. The remarks show India's total lack of respect toward the people of neighbouring Bangladesh.
India has been given market access in Bangladesh. India immensely benefits out of its trade with Bangladesh, in both goods and services. As Bangladesh does not get market access, despite agreements, the trade imbalance with India continues to widen. Smuggling keeps Indian goods and services outside the Bangladesh tax net. Dumping by Indian companies exploiting the long and porous border harms domestic production of Bangladesh, and also deprives it of its tax revenue. The virtual monopoly enjoyed by India in Bangladesh market adversely affects the growth of Bangladesh's domestic industry. Indian authorities allowed the growth of illegal drug production on their side of border for smuggling into Bangladesh. The Indian Border Security Force never dismantled these illegal drug factories despite complaints from Bangladesh. The BSF kills innocent Bangladeshis every other day. Diplomats of Bangladesh posted in India never made such uncharitable remarks about India.
The Indian high commissioner's reprehensible behaviour calls a dressing down by the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh. There is no scope for anyone in Bangladesh to defend the erring high commissioner. Dhaka needs to admonish him. There are not many countries which take such discourteous and undiplomatic comments kindly.
Such insolence and imprudence are bound to lower the stock of a foreign diplomat in the diplomatic community. Not many a country would allow a foreign diplomat to continue to enjoy diplomatic hospitality after making such comments.
The writer lives in Boston, USA
THE recent outrageous comments of the Indian high commissioner against Bangladeshis were uncalled for and unjustifiable. His comments about water experts, and the visa seekers were highly offensive, deplorable and bereft of any diplomatic niceties.
He was arrogant in his remarks. Such remarks from a diplomat are bound to offend the feelings of the citizens of any host country. The remarks show India's total lack of respect toward the people of neighbouring Bangladesh.
India has been given market access in Bangladesh. India immensely benefits out of its trade with Bangladesh, in both goods and services. As Bangladesh does not get market access, despite agreements, the trade imbalance with India continues to widen. Smuggling keeps Indian goods and services outside the Bangladesh tax net. Dumping by Indian companies exploiting the long and porous border harms domestic production of Bangladesh, and also deprives it of its tax revenue. The virtual monopoly enjoyed by India in Bangladesh market adversely affects the growth of Bangladesh's domestic industry. Indian authorities allowed the growth of illegal drug production on their side of border for smuggling into Bangladesh. The Indian Border Security Force never dismantled these illegal drug factories despite complaints from Bangladesh. The BSF kills innocent Bangladeshis every other day. Diplomats of Bangladesh posted in India never made such uncharitable remarks about India.
The Indian high commissioner's reprehensible behaviour calls a dressing down by the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh. There is no scope for anyone in Bangladesh to defend the erring high commissioner. Dhaka needs to admonish him. There are not many countries which take such discourteous and undiplomatic comments kindly.
Such insolence and imprudence are bound to lower the stock of a foreign diplomat in the diplomatic community. Not many a country would allow a foreign diplomat to continue to enjoy diplomatic hospitality after making such comments.
The writer lives in Boston, USA