PM's India visit
Monday, 4 January 2010
As our prime minister is scheduled to pay a visit to India shortly, I take this opportunity to draw her attention to some of the issues which can be sorted out by the leaders of the two countries in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. Bangladesh and India have inseparable cultural and historical links and have maintained a good and friendly relationship at the government level most of the time. However, there are some unresolved issues between the two neighbours that need to be addressed urgently in an equitable, fair and just manner for continuing and further cementing that relationship.
Bangladesh promptly implemented the 1974 border agreement and transferred Berubari to India long ago. India should also honour their part of the agreement and transfer Tinbigha corridor and other enclaves to Bangladesh without any further delay on any pretext.
There is need for taking measures at the highest level in India for the immediate stoppage of killings and harassment of Bangladeshi people by their Border Security Force.
A bilateral meeting should be organised at the highest level to decide about the Tipaimukh Dam project in Monipur in India in order to ascertain if this will adversely affect Bangladesh as well as a large part of north-eastern India. It should also be emphasised that India needs to share all data with Bangladesh relating to the construction of any dam on rivers in India which flow downstream into Bangladesh.
Considering the curvature and special geographical features of the Bangladesh shores, India should be persuaded to accept Bangladesh's proposal of applying equitable principle for the determination of maritime boundary of the Bay of Bengal under the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea.
I hope both the governments of India and Bangladesh will rise to the occasion and bring about necessary changes in their approaches so that all the outstanding issues between them may be resolved through friendly negotiations.
Nuruddin Azam
21 Pardalote Street
Ingleburn NSW 2565
Australia
Bangladesh promptly implemented the 1974 border agreement and transferred Berubari to India long ago. India should also honour their part of the agreement and transfer Tinbigha corridor and other enclaves to Bangladesh without any further delay on any pretext.
There is need for taking measures at the highest level in India for the immediate stoppage of killings and harassment of Bangladeshi people by their Border Security Force.
A bilateral meeting should be organised at the highest level to decide about the Tipaimukh Dam project in Monipur in India in order to ascertain if this will adversely affect Bangladesh as well as a large part of north-eastern India. It should also be emphasised that India needs to share all data with Bangladesh relating to the construction of any dam on rivers in India which flow downstream into Bangladesh.
Considering the curvature and special geographical features of the Bangladesh shores, India should be persuaded to accept Bangladesh's proposal of applying equitable principle for the determination of maritime boundary of the Bay of Bengal under the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea.
I hope both the governments of India and Bangladesh will rise to the occasion and bring about necessary changes in their approaches so that all the outstanding issues between them may be resolved through friendly negotiations.
Nuruddin Azam
21 Pardalote Street
Ingleburn NSW 2565
Australia