Bangladesh committed to fighting terrorism alongside India: Envoy
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
NEW DELHI, Nov 9 (BSS): Bangladesh envoy to India Tariq A Karim has expressed the hope that India, as a global power, would take some bold initiatives to make Bangladesh a dependable economic partner and a trusted neighbour.
"India that has graduated from a regional to global power must take some bold initiatives to make Bangladesh a dependable economic partner and a trusted neighbour," Mr Karim said in an exclusive interview with The Tribune published here today.
He said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a vision and she wants to "set right all that has gone wrong in our bilateral relations."
"It is a rare alignment of stars that both India and Bangladesh have like-minded government. It is happening for the first time since 1971 when there was Awami League government in Bangladesh and Congress government in India."
Tariq A Karim pointed out that the present Awami League regime that has come to power with a massive mandate has friendly feelings for India.
He said, "Period of such alignment is short. Eleven months of this positive period have already passed. Now we are left with 19 months before mid-term in which we have not only to improve people to people contact, eliminate hostilities, end scourge of terrorism by not allowing the territories being used for harbouring terrorists and resolve some of the long standing problems."
Mr Karim said, once the process of normalising and strengthening bilateral relation is set in motion, it will help Bangladesh to emerge as a stable economic nation.
He referred to the 1985 statement of then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi that India has to help Bangladesh develop into a prosperous economic nation that will accord it political stability. This will indirectly help India, he said.
High Commissioner Tariq Karim said, "Sheikh Hasina is conscious of the scourge of terrorism. Now Bangladesh is committed to fighting alongside India this scourge. Neither of the nations should provide a sanctuary for the terrorists or divisive forces."
He quoted some recent developments, including handing over of two ULFA ultras to Indian authorities.
"India that has graduated from a regional to global power must take some bold initiatives to make Bangladesh a dependable economic partner and a trusted neighbour," Mr Karim said in an exclusive interview with The Tribune published here today.
He said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a vision and she wants to "set right all that has gone wrong in our bilateral relations."
"It is a rare alignment of stars that both India and Bangladesh have like-minded government. It is happening for the first time since 1971 when there was Awami League government in Bangladesh and Congress government in India."
Tariq A Karim pointed out that the present Awami League regime that has come to power with a massive mandate has friendly feelings for India.
He said, "Period of such alignment is short. Eleven months of this positive period have already passed. Now we are left with 19 months before mid-term in which we have not only to improve people to people contact, eliminate hostilities, end scourge of terrorism by not allowing the territories being used for harbouring terrorists and resolve some of the long standing problems."
Mr Karim said, once the process of normalising and strengthening bilateral relation is set in motion, it will help Bangladesh to emerge as a stable economic nation.
He referred to the 1985 statement of then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi that India has to help Bangladesh develop into a prosperous economic nation that will accord it political stability. This will indirectly help India, he said.
High Commissioner Tariq Karim said, "Sheikh Hasina is conscious of the scourge of terrorism. Now Bangladesh is committed to fighting alongside India this scourge. Neither of the nations should provide a sanctuary for the terrorists or divisive forces."
He quoted some recent developments, including handing over of two ULFA ultras to Indian authorities.