Bangla PM visit aimed at bringing about thaw in bilateral ties

New Delhi, Mar 20: India and Bangladesh will renew their 1981 bilateral trade agreement and are expected to sign another on preventing cross-border smuggling of drugs and psychotropic substances while New Delhi will raise its concerns about terrorism during talks between the two countries here tomorrow.

The bilateral trade agreement which was signed in 1981, is due to expire on March 31.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who arrives here later today on a three-day official visit, will have talks with her Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.

She will also call on President A P J Abdul Kalam, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and meet UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

The visit is aimed at boosting bilateral ties which have been at low ebb for the past many years on several contentious issues including border fencing, northeast insurgents taking shelter in Bangladesh territory, illegal migration and other such cross-border activities.

The two countries are separated by a more than 4000 km.

border. India is fencing the border to stop all illegal activities while Bangladesh is objecting to fencing within 150 yards of the zero line.

However, only 2500 km out of 4000 km can be fenced which is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The remaining 1500 km cannot be fenced because it is mainly riverine.

Also, India says many ULFA leaders have taken shelter inside Bangladesh and that terrorists linked to several attacks in India have links in that country, however, Dhaka categorically denies India's claims.

Border guarding forces of the two countries--BSF and Bangladesh Rifles (BDR)--have had occasional skirmishes during the past few years which threatened to torpedo bilateral relations.

Charges and counter-charges notwithstanding, the visit is aimed at bringing about a breakthrough in bilateral ties. Officials of the Bangladesh High Commission here said that begum Zia would be coming to India with an ''open mind'' and discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayat-ud-Din said Begum Zia would be coming to India with a ''very positive frame of mind.'' ''The whole range of bilateral issues that exist and how to carry them forward, will be discussed...We do hope something positive will come out. There is no reason to be pessimistic.

It will be a landmark visit in terms of bilateral relations,'' he said.

About the agenda of discussion between the two countries, he said the whole range of bilateral relations could be covered.

But easier access to Indian markets, trade and other issues could figure.

The meeting between the two Prime Ministers will be a follow-up to their earlier interaction during the 13th SAARC Summit held in Dhaka last year.

Asked whether the issue of Bangladesh providing transit to gas pipeline from Myanmar would figure during the discussions, the Foreign Secretary said ''if the issue is raised (it could be discussed)''.

''One can't expect that every issue will be solved, but given the political will on both sides, the visit will be a roadmap for future bilateral relations...We will be talking about everything and anything,'' he added.

He did not specify any issue.

The two countries have separate mechanism for resolving contentious border issues including at the levels of the Home Secretaries and the Chiefs of Border Guarding Forces----BSF and BDR.

UNI