India likes to see Bangladesh as stable secular democracy: Ramesh

Dhaka, July 22 (UNI) India wants to see Bangladesh as a stable, secular democracy with a representative government through a free and fair election, visiting Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh said here today.

''India wants to see Bangladesh a stable, peaceful, secular democracy committed to economic development. We're confident that present caretaker government will work towards restoration of a political system based on representative government,'' he said. Addressing a crowded media conference at Hotel Sonargaon, Ramesh, however, said, '' India is not here to determine the political system, that is for Bangladeshis to decide. We are closely working with the present government and will continue to do so with whatever government is in Dhaka.'' The Minister came here in connection with the launching of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

He said India also hopes that Bangladesh wouldn't allow any terrorist activity by using its soil against India or any other country.

Asked about recent statements by India's CPM on current political developments criticizing the Central Government in Delhi for being silent on Dhaka's political development, Mr Ramesh said since UPA is a coalition government, there may be different voices and '' we respect this point of view. But we will continue to work with the Bangladesh government.'' Mr Ramesh said New Delhi wants strong economic ties with Dhaka through more trade and investment.

Asked about non-tariff and para-tariff barriers facing Bangladeshi export products, despite repeated assurances from the Indian side to remove those trade obstacles, he said the Indian government has decided to allow 86 per cent of Bangladesh's tariff lines (5,211) duty-free access to India from January 2008.

He mentioned that a taskforce has been set up by the Indian Ministry of Commerce to identify the trade barriers to Bangladeshi goods and remove those roadblocks.

Giving export-import statistics, Mr Ramesh said Bangladesh's export to India increased to 250 million dollars from 200 million dollars in 2006-07. He, however, admitted that India's export to Bangladesh was worth some 1.7 billion dollars , saying that Bangladesh's exports still remained at dissatisfied level.

''India's import from Bangladesh should increase. India should give more to Bangladesh for what it gets in exchange. India must be large-hearted as it is a bigger economy and bigger country,'' Ramesh said in an eloquent voice, which is also attuned to his candid remark made during his visit to Dhaka in April last year.

The Minister pointed out that China has replaced India as most important source of import for Bangladesh. He also mentioned that Bangladesh's trade deficit with India is 1.5 billion dollars while with China it is 3 billion dollars.

He said India does not mind growing Bangladesh-China economic ties as ''we are not in a race with China.'' In reply to a question that some major decisions were taken under this caretaker government resolving some outstanding issues with India, Mr Ramesh admitted the fact but said the decisions were taken'' not because Bangladesh wants to please India but also for the interests of Bangladesh.'' On the sensitive issue of transit, he said it seems that India is seeking favour from Bangladesh for getting transit facilities, but he said it would help increase Bangladesh's exports to India, particularly to its Northeastern states, and help reduce the trade deficit.

''I would like to make it clear that there is no conspiracy of India to keep Bangladesh poor and underdeveloped,''he told the press, apparently to scuttle this mindset in some sections.

On signing bilateral FTA, he said India offered to sign FTA with Bangladesh five years ago, and if Bangladesh wants to start negotiations on the subject, India is ready to sit for negotiations.

On Indian ban on investment from Bangladesh, he said initially restrictions were on Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for security reasons, but the ban on FDI from Sri Lanka has been withdrawn. The Indian government is reviewing the decision of restriction on FDI from Bangladesh and Pakistan.

UNI