Bharat Rakshak

muraliravi wrote:Guys,

Updated Border fencing data base with details for Dec 09

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... utput=html

Murali

Terror Financing in Bangladesh
Author: Anand Kumar (Show Biography)

Published in: journal Strategic Analysis, Volume 33, Issue 6 November 2009, pages 903 - 917
Abstract
This article deals with financing of Islamist terror in Bangladesh, which on occasions becomes jihadi in nature, especially when it is directed towards India. The exercise undertaken studies developments in the area of terrorist finance in Bangladesh post-9/11, but does not claim to fully estimate the volume of terror financing in that country. The attempt has been made to throw some light on an area where little research has been done. The article argues that the Government of Bangladesh has shown a half-hearted approach towards checking the finance of terrorism. Attempts to obfuscate the issue, together with a lack of adequate machinery and competent staff, has made the existing law ineffective.

Introduction

Though political patronage and an enabling domestic and international environment have been responsible for the rise of Islamist extremist groups in Bangladesh, their continuous activities require significant funding. Financial transactions are necessary to sustain the terrorist outfits' political activity, recruit cadres, and continuously indoctrinate sections of the population. A particular terror act may not require huge finances but maintenance of a terror organization does require money. Such transactions are equally important to compensate cadres who often put their lives at stake for the larger organizational cause. Terrorism is generally guided by an ideology but terror cannot make much headway without finance. While both elected as well as unelected governments in Bangladesh have denounced terrorism as a scourge, the problem remains over its definition. This has thwarted any serious action against the patrons and financiers of Islamist militancy in spite of the fact that the country has acceded to 12 out of the 13 UN conventions on terrorism.

The term 'terrorist financing' can be applied to two distinct but related activities. It may refer to the ongoing fundraising efforts by which a terrorist organization supports its overall operation, arms acquisition, political activity, propaganda output, and basic training of recruits. Besides, terrorists also need money to finance specific terrorist operations.1 {this weird symbol stands for footnote}

The study of the financial aspect of terrorism becomes important as states are accountable for actions emanating from their territories. The financial controls help states increase their coercive capacity and can also help in reconstructing events after a terrorist attack, identifying additional members and supporters of the group involved. Tracing the nature and sources of financing helps investigators understand the modus operandi of the terror group and its organizational functioning. Besides, financial intelligence is generally more reliable than other forms of intelligence. In this way financial controls can perform preventive, investigative, and analytical functions which are crucial for curtailing acts of terrorism.2

Conclusion

In Bangladesh, terror organizations have been funded by domestic and foreign sources but the government has not shown any requisite and lasting means to counter it. Successive governments since 2001 have paid lip service without taking concrete steps to prevent terror financing. The international community, including the United States, in comparison has given far more attention to tackling terror financing. In Bangladesh a large portion of funding to extremist and terrorist groups seems to be through NGOs, and many of them have been linked with international terrorist organizations like Al Qaida. Though the government has at times shown tough measures against these NGOs, the follow-up actions have been weak. NGOs like al-Harmain and RIHS continue to operate in Bangladesh long after they have ceased to operate elsewhere. The Bangladesh Government, under political pressure and sustained lobbying, has virtually allowed some of the NGOs to disburse funds despite the fact that they have been banned. With ineffective laws, the NGOs have bypassed existing rules governing the issue of bearer cheques. The global rules soon after 9/11 clearly emphasized regulating charities as suggested by the United Kingdom's Charity Commission. Bangladesh also needs to modernize its law vis-agrave-vis NGOs along similar lines. This has to be done quickly and effectively. The challenges are enormous as organizations like Jamaat-e-Islami are increasingly becoming self-reliant and investing in legitimate businesses to circumvent laws. The difficulties are magnified further as a large number of politicians and government officials sympathize with such groups. Expatriate Bangladeshis are also an important source of funding and exploit the informal channels like hundi, adding to the difficulties of state agencies. The largely cash-based nature of the Bangladesh economy presents a daunting task. The most distressing aspect of terror financing is the use of drug money and fake currency. The forces inimical to India are pumping in fake currency which will also affect the Indian economy adversely. The earlier four-party ruling alliance of Bangladesh appeared unwilling to take any remedial measures. While the caretaker government has indeed enacted an improved legislation, the objective is driven towards regaining the siphoned money. One does not know at this stage how effectively this legislation would be used against the financiers of terrorism. The current Sheikh Hasina government has acted against the Islamist groups but has not come out with any comprehensive strategy to check terror financing. As of now the challenge to tackle terror finance in Bangladesh remains a daunting task.

Notes

1. Tim Parkman and Gill Peeling, Countering Terrorist Finance, Gower Publishing Limited, Aldershot, 2007, pp. 23-24.
2. Thomas J. Biersteker and Sue E. Eckert, Countering the Financing of Terrorism, Routledge, London, 2008, pp. 1-2.

Chittagong metropolitan sessions judge has extended the investigation time by another 76 days for the sensational seizure of 10 truckloads of arms in 2004. This is the sixth extension granted for this case. The same court had extended investigation time by three months on Oct 5 last year.

On 30th of December 2009 The Sheikh Hasina led Bangladesh Cabinet approved in its 51st meeting a draft MOU for power trading between India and Bangladesh. This MOU may be signed during PM Hasina’s upcoming January 2010 visit to India. If that happens this will be stepping stone for setting up a major energy ring in the SAARC region. For a long time professionals and energy sector managers are discussing the issues and challenges of regional energy trading in several regional seminars and round table discussions. Researchers and academicians have done extensive works on possibilities of energy co-operation and identified areas of win -win energy exchanges between countries.

Bangladesh was trying for a long time to explore possibilities about accessing hydro power generation from Nepal and Bhutan. But from these two land locked nations the access must be through Indian Grid. Now if Bangladesh and India can conclude the MOU the process of regional power trading will commence. All the finer things will require to be shorted out in the detailed feasibility studies. But once the ice melts it will roll from Mount Everest down the rivers to the Bay of Bengal and will beautify the land on the way.

The nations of this region have different type off issues as far as energy security is concerned. Nepal and Bhutan have enormous hydro potential. But most of their present hydro generation are funded by India and are committed for long term supply contract to India. Bangladesh and India have untapped gas and coal resources. Both have huge unmet and growing power demand. If all these countries can share their resources, they can jointly develop their power and energy sector with good neighborly attitude. If this happens, in matters of a decade this region can flourish and great milestones can be achieved in poverty alleviation.

Death warrants issued

A Dhaka court issued death warrants on Sunday against five former army officers convicted of the 1975 murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding father. The Dhaka district and sessions judge signed the warrants against Syed Faruk Rahman, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Bazlul Huda, AKM Mohiuddin Ahmed and Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan. Two officers of the court carried the warrant letters in five envelopes to Dhaka Central Jail, where the convicts are being held in condemned cells, officials said.

They also took copies of the High Court's original death reference, the appeals filed by the convicts and the final judgment on the appeals. Deputy jailer Md Masudur Rahman received all the documents at the jail, amid tight security measures, officials said. According to law, the death penalties are to be executed between 21 and 28 days of issuance of the warrants. The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on Nov 19, upheld the High Court's death sentences for the five convicts after a long drawn appeals process. Five Appellate Division judges, headed by Md Tafazzul Islam, released the 412-page judgment on Dec 17.

Bangladesh mission in Delhi fears retaliation by ULFA --- Anisur Rahman, PTI, Dhaka, 3 January:

Bangladesh's envoy to India has sought immediate steps for upgrading the New Delhi mission's security fearing retaliation by ULFA in the wake of BSF arresting two top militant leaders, who were reportedly earlier, detained in his country. Bangladeshi High Commissioner to India, Tariq A Karim, in a recent letter to Dhaka, said a possible backlash from ULFA and religious extremists in Bangladesh has made the mission's compound at the Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave in New Delhi extremely vulnerable, 'The New Age' reported. "These developments have meant that the High Commission and its personnel have become extremely vulnerable as targets for retaliatory attacks in India aimed at humiliating the government of Bangladesh," it quoted the letter as saying. The letter sought immediate government steps to upgrade the High Commission's security apparatus calling it the "most pressing problem" and suggested installation of closed-circuit television cameras along its boundary wall, besides security barriers and fire-fighting equipment.

Military commander of Bangladesh 'Gono Mukti Fouz' arrested

Kushtia, 2 January : Bangladesh Police arrested the 'military commander' of outlawed Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF), Jahangir Alam alias Arfen alias Doyal, on Friday night. Police said they raided his house at Alampur in Sadar upazila at about 7:30 pm(BDST) and arrested him. Arfen was later quizzed at the police line for all night for extracting information regarding his long involvement with underground parties. At a briefing at the office of Kushtia superintendent of police (SP), police said Arfen hailed from Alampur village in Sadar upazila in the district. Son of late Ansar Ali, he knows several languages including English and Chinese. Arfen became a worker of United Communist League in 1979 when he was student of class X, police said. In course of time, he turned towards 'armed struggle' and joined the outlawed Biplobi Communist Party (BCP) in 1988. He left BCP in 1999 and joined Shromojibi Mukti Andolon as a close aide to its founder Mir Ilias Hossain Dilip. Arfen was later made district convener of Shromojbi. He became general secretary of Shromojibi in 2001. Arfen used to train cadres and organise Gono Mukti Fouz (GMF), the armed wing of Shromijibi Mukti Andolon. Arfen concurrently held the posts of military chief and secretary of GMF, he (Arfen) told newsmen during Saturday's press briefing. Arfen said he gave statements on TVs and his interviews with two private channels were telecast in August last year.

BDR carnage probe to take more time : HMin Sahara

Dhaka, 2 January : Bangladesh Home Minister Sahara Khatun on Saturday said the investigation into the 25-26 February BDR carnage at the Pilkhana headquarters will take more time. "Investigation is a matter of time. It can take more time and I cannot tell you any specific date," the home minister told newsmen. She was talking to reporters after inaugurating the national curriculum English version at Bir Shrestha Nur Mohammad Rifle Public School and College inside the BDR Pilkhana headquarters. Earlier on 8 December, Sahara said the final charge sheet in the BDR headquarters killings case would be submitted by December 2009.

Dhaka, Delhi measuring Ganges, Padma's water level

Dhaka, 2 January : Monitoring of water level at different points of the Ganges and the Padma has been undertaken jointly by India and Bangladesh under the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. Every year, two joint experts committees, one in India and one in Bangladesh, record the water level for five months from 1 January to 31 May. In accordance with the treaty, Bangladesh is to get 67,650 cusecs of water every day on average in the first cycle of 10 days of January. A four-member team led by hydrologist Abdul Hye has been to India for taking part in the measurement at two points of Farakka. The Bangladesh team will come back after two and a half months and another team will replace them. Another team of Bangladesh has gone to examine the water level at 10,000 feet upstream of the Padma from the Hardinge Bridge. A two-member delegation from India comprising Deputy Director of Water Commission Shyam Narayan Singh and Assistant Director Sunil Kumar Saha and a three-member Bangladeshi delegation, headed by Kabibur Rahman visited the Hardinge Bridge area.

shyamd: Anand Kumar's recent report says that JMB, JMJB, Ahle Hadith Andolon Bangladesh (AHAB), HuJi, Al Hikma, etc. all sourced much of their funding from Riyadh-based Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation opened in 1992 in BD to help the Rohingya refugees. While US and KSA prodded by US post-911 banned Al-Haramain, it has continued to pour cash into Wahhabi organizations in BD, India and pakistan till like 2006 or so [and may be more]. Sources of money include Libya, Abu Dhabi, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Egypt, UK, US, pakistan and even India. NGO lists of concern include Islamic Relief Organization, Al Markajul Islami, Ishra Islamic Foundation, Ishrahul Muslimin, Al Forkan Foundations, Al Maghrib Eye Hospital, etc. These are called mother NGOs and they distribute cash locally to smaller NGOs.

The estimate for funds arriving in BD is BD Taka 4-5 billion (US$ 61.5 to 76.9 mil per year). This "sector" employs 25k people. Specifically, AK identifies ten NGOs for channeling funds to various Islamist extremist outfits in BD. Revival of Islamic Heritage Society (RIHS) is the biggie in this. To give a scale of the funding, as a measure of the seriousness of the issue, RIHS which is banned in US for connections with AlQ and its then-head Asadullah Galib constructed 1000 mosques, ten madrasas, four orphanges-cum-madrasas, and a kidney dialysis centre. The mosques and madrasas were proved to be centres of militant activity of the JMB. Galiib was arrested and he confessed to have received around BD Taka 270 million every year from West Asia, especially from RIHS of Kuwait. The money was spent on the 500-odd orchestrated bombings of JMJB on August 17, 2005.

Money flows via hundi and hawala these days. But AK paints a very gloomy picture and says many of these extremist entities have invested in construction, pharma, transport, financial institutions and have hence become more or less self-reliant. The annual net income from these ventures is estimated to be 200 mil US$ of which 27% comes from financial institutions (banks, insurance companies, leasing companies), 20.8% from NGOs, 10.8% from trading concerns, 10.4% from pharma and health institutions, 9.2% from educational institutions, 8.3% from real estate business, 7.5% from transport business, 5.8% from news media and IT sector.

This is not including drug money from the Triangle area, FICN printing, etc. See the following examples:
1) http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/11/26/d5112601022.htm
2) http://www.thedailystar.net/2005/08/22/d5082201044.htm
3) "Economics of Fundamentalism and the Growth of Political Islam in Bangladesh" by Prof. Abul Barkat, Univ of Dhaka,
http://www.secularvoiceofbangladesh.org ... Barkat.htm

OSI tracking of money laundering for terror activities in the near-abroad can be a lot helpful. It helps in piling pressure on the concerned bodies and helps them in their goal of documenting stuff and passing it along to Min of Fin, MHA, MEA, PMO, CCS and Enforcement Directorate. I have nt talked much about the drug crap from Burma or what gets grown in our own Murshidabad and Nadia, WB. I think it is time to take the OSI job a bit more seriously, that is my personal opinion on this matter.

The BNP and JEI mouthpiece have already started misinformation about Sk. Hasina’s visit, and Indian intelligence agencies sabotaging Bangladesh’s sovereignty. Simultaneously, seminars are being held, marches are being organized, appeals are being made abroad, against possible India-Bangladesh agreements on the cards. Although Bangladesh is power starved, a possible power purchase agreement is being dubbed as an Indian trap where India can cut off supply at will.

It will be wise to put aside contentious issues for further discussions, while going ahead with those which are workable. Trade and transit surface connectivity between Bangladesh, and Nepal and Bhutan through India is doable. So is Bangladesh’s power purchase from Nepal and Bhutan. Better tariff and access to Bangladeshi products must also be considered positively.

The issue of adversely possessed enclaves, especially Dahagram and Angarporta must be resolved. As a much larger country and economy, India must accord Bangladeshi exports special terms. And the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) should be much less trigger happy on petty Bangladeshi smugglers.

India’s large heartedness will take the wind out of the sails of the Bangladeshi opponents. This will create space for strong arguments for the Bangladeshi government to push through other bilateral agreements. The entire gamut of issues cannot be resolved with one issue.

How confident are Sk. Hasina and her team to execute their Indian policy without constantly looking over their shoulders. The latest developments in Bangladesh suggest there is significant bureaucratic opposition to fast paced Bangladesh-India good will. Most of these officers are either JEI or BNP acolytes or beneficiaries. It is well known that Prime Minister Hasina’s life is under constant threat. She is the living symbol of Liberation, being Sk. Mujibur Rahman’s eldest daughter. Unless she holds firm she will lose ground.

Sk. Hasina must return from India with at least one bag full. The rest can then follow. But the journey will be arduous.

Amazing! UPA willing to upset India-Bangladesh relations on an upswing since AL came to power for Mukesh Ambani.

Hari Seldon wrote:Friend of mine pointed me to this Kanchan Gupta (Pioneer editor) tweet made a couple of hours ago:

Amazing! UPA willing to upset India-Bangladesh relations on an upswing since AL came to power for Mukesh Ambani.

Wonder what he means.

first is about an unambiguous Indian commitment to an “equal” relationship

second is a new emphasis on “interests” rather than “sentiments”

third message is...... that the destinies of the subcontinent’s peoples are interlinked

fourth must be a strong Indian endorsement of Dhaka’s aspirations to lead the process of regional and sub-regional cooperation in the subcontinent

Hari Seldon wrote:Friend of mine pointed me to this Kanchan Gupta (Pioneer editor) tweet made a couple of hours ago:

Amazing! UPA willing to upset India-Bangladesh relations on an upswing since AL came to power for Mukesh Ambani.

Wonder what he means.

New Delhi was home to Sheikh Hasina for almost five years, she used to live quietly there with her nuclear scientist husband, M Wajed Mia and children Sajeeb and Saima Putul. A modest flat in C block of Pandara Park was her abode.

Given the fact, Sheikh Hasina has very strong emotional ties with New Delhi. Ms Hasina, who camped in New Delhi for more than five years, moved to Pandara Park in the later part of December 1975. She first lived at 56 Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar.

When she came to New Delhi, Emergency was imposed in India. She was always surrounded by security guards. She generally remained indoor, except for visiting Indian International Centre (ICC) for a quiet lunch or dinner once in a while.

While Sheikh Hasina was in New Delhi, a person by the name of AL Khatib worked as her assistant. Khatib had also authored one book Who killed Mujib. Vikas Publication had published the book.

Sheikh Hasina lived in New Delhi till 1981. It is still unclear whether she would make an emotional trip to her 'home' despite her crowded itinerary and security reasons, but one thing is very sure that during her stay in New Delhi she would think of her exile days.

Bangladesh-India likely to sign 6 deals during Hasina's visit

PTI, Dhaka, 7 January : India and Bangladesh are expected to sign at least six deals during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi from January 10, including on cooperation on cross-border terrorism and exchange of convicted criminals, officials said in Dhaka on Thursday. Senior government officials familiar with the talks said Dhaka expected the MoUs to be inked during the premier's upcoming tour, her first official visit to India since coming to power last year, but added that the summit-level talks could yield more deals which could not be predicted. A foreign ministry source listed the issues for the proposed deals as cooperation on cross-border militancy or terrorism, Indian credit assistance for railway and communication sector development, cooperation on cross-border crime and exchange of convicted criminals, power swap and cooperation on standardisation. He said sharing of waters in common rivers and particularly in the Teesta, trade gap issue, bilateral and regional connectivity or transit and proposed "frontier bazaar" were other major issues to come up during the talks. Foreign secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, however, earlier said the "summit-level talks between the two premiers could yield tangible outcome on more issues, which could be predicted beforehand."

Facilitating Bangladesh transit facilities to Nepal and Bhutan through India will be the first concrete gesture in that direction. What New Delhi seeks, in return, is greater securing of its long, and porous borders from terrorist and insurgent elements that have frequently used Bangladeshi soil to stir ethnic and sectarian trouble in India.

India has promised to assist Bangladesh in railway infrastructure, transportation, dredging, power grid interconnectivity, human resource development and investment and trade. Among the high points of Hasina’s visit is likely to be a $500-million credit purse to Bangladesh.

“Insurgencies by different Indian ethnic groups have become closely linked to our security,” the Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief said. “If she signs a treaty (to control Indian insurgents), the security of our own citizens will also be hampered.”

The thinking in South Block is that India should play “the large-hearted elder brother” by helping Bangladesh economically. The only way to prevent Bangladesh from slipping back into the grip of fundamentalists is to help it fight poverty, many in the Indian establishment feel.

The LGRD minister said India was the destination of 10 truckloads of illegal arms seized in Chittagong and a huge quantity of bullets in Bogra during the BNP-Jamaat government. Bangladesh has not been on good terms with India since 2001 due to these reasons, he said. Terming prime minister's India tour very important, Ashraf said it is not important what the government would achieve through the premier's tour. “The important thing is the premier is going to India to establish a friendly and trustworthy relation with India,” said the Awami League leader adding that Bangladesh should not be kept away from the rest of the world in the name of security and sovereignty.

Earlier in the morning, Ashraf said they had clear evidence of a meeting between former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf and India's separatist Ulfa leader Anup Chetia in Dhaka during the BNP-led alliance rule. “I am aware that no comment should be made about a former president without any evidence,” he told newsmen after placing wreaths at the Sheikh Mujib's portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the morning. On Friday, Syed Ashraf alleged that the previous BNP-led coalition government had arranged a meeting between Pervez Musharraf and Anup Chetia in Dhaka. “Pervez Musharraf had a one-and-a-half-hour meeting with detained Ulfa leader Anup Chetia when BNP-led alliance was in power,” he told a roundtable at the Jatiya Press Club.

Hours after Ashraf's speech, BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain asked his ruling party counterpart to substantiate the claim regarding the meeting. Paying tributes to late president Ziaur Rahman at his grave, Delwar termed Ashraf's remark “irresponsible” and called upon him to produce evidence before the nation to prove that such a meeting took place. He also said the government is whipping such propaganda for political gains.

The temporary Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell, set up at the Pilkhana headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) after the February 2009 mutiny in the border security force, is likely to be shut down following allegations of torture of mutiny suspects there, sources in the home ministry said. The cell, which is comprised of officials of different intelligence agencies and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), interrogated several thousand BDR soldiers since the mutiny that had killed 75 persons including 57 army officers deputed to the force. The interrogations are still on.

Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation Ltd was awarded the work of seven road packages as the lowest bidder while two other local firms--Reza Construction and TBL-ACL-JV were given the works of three other road packages.

We must appreciate the fact that for the first time Myanmar has moved away from its rigid stance of not considering any other option except the equidistance method in delimiting sea boundary. The meeting has also demonstrated that at the end of the day the matter will have to be resolved through understanding reached across the table. That Bangladesh and Myanmar have decided to delimit the maritime boundary going by the principles of both equidistance and equity is a clear testimony to that. As it is, much time has been lost in demarcating our maritime boundary. The matter of delimitation in the Bay of Bengal, irrespective of the dateline fixed by the UN to fulfill certain obligations on the part of the parties concerned, must be addressed by the three littoral countries with urgency.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi Sunday evening on her first state visit to India since assuming office a year ago.

A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carried the prime minister.

The prime minister left for India with Bangladesh pinning high hopes on opening up a new chapter in Indo-Bangla bilateral relations and keeping the issues of yawning trade imbalance, security and water sharing high on the agenda.

Prior to her departure on a three-day visit, she hoped she would seize the opportunity to seek warmer ties and resolution of longstanding issues with the world's largest democracy.

"We are eagerly looking forward to the visit of the prime minister, and I strongly believe it will enable us to build on the already solid foundation of our existing friendly relations with India," said Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at a roundtable in capital on Saturday.

India has already said the Bangladesh prime minister's visit will be a "landmark" event in bilateral ties amidst indications that New Delhi is willing to “travel extra mile” by taking some non-reciprocal steps in various fields including reducing tariff barrier.

The premier's official entourage includes Dipu Moni, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen, PM's Advisers HT Imam, Mashihur Rahman and Gowher Rizvi and secretaries of several ministries concerned. Besides, a high-level business delegation will accompany her as a sign of Bangladesh's willingness to expand trade with its economically excelling neighbour.

Meanwhile, the Indian capital is being spruced up for the Bangladesh PM's visit. A special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying Hasina and her entourage is scheduled to take off from Zia International Airport at 6:00pm to land at Palam Air Force Base in New Delhi.

Unprecedented security measures are also in place in New Delhi, particularly in Chanakyapuri area. Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in and around the places to be visited by Hasina and her entourage during their stay in the Indian capital.

Hasina will be lodged in the presidential Chandragupta suite at the super luxury Maurya Sheraton Hotel, famous for accommodating the then US presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush, and other world dignitaries during their visit to India. The then Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia also stayed in the same suite during her India visit in March 2006.

The Chandragupta suite with its décor spreading over 2,500 square feet is reminiscent of the Maurya period of the third century BC.

Hasina will be accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the Indian capital at 9:00am on Monday. She will be given a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour in the forecourt of official residence of the Indian president. Horse-mounted Indian Presidential Guards will escort her at the time.

Three agreements and a few memorandums of understanding (MoUs) will be signed after the formal delegation level talks between the two countries led by Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House tomorrow evening.

Reports from New Delhi said Maurya Sheraton, where Hasina and her entourage will stay, has been turned into a fortress with the Special Security Force (SSF) of Bangladesh and Indian elite National Security Guard (NSG) screening every visitor. Hotel employees have been issued special passes.

Delhi police will man the outer ring of multi-layer security arrangement. India's Intelligence Bureau will be in charge of the second ring while the inner cordon will be left to the SSF and NSG. Delhi police will install barricades to check vehicles on the roads to be used by the prime minister's motorcade.

FIVE AGREEMENTS WOULD BE SIGNED DURING THE VISIT INCLUDING ON MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS, TRANSFER OF SENTENCED PERSONS, COMBATING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, ORGANISED CRIME AND ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING, POWER COOPERATION AND A CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.

Dhaka, Delhi agree on long-term cooperation in Agriculture

Dhaka, 8 January : Bangladesh and India have agreed on long-term cooperation in agricultural research and technologies, meant to save crops from natural disasters in vast parts of the two neighbouring countries.
“We have agreed to share our experiences in order to increase productivity of pulse, vegetables, fruits, rice, wheat and oilseeds,” Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said on Friday after a meeting with her Indian counterpart Sharad Pawar at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. Matia said the climatic condition of many parts of India and Bangladesh was similar. "We both have problems of salinity, drought and floods," she added. Sharad Pawar, minister of agriculture and consumer affairs, food and public distribution of Indian Union, arrived in Dhaka on Thursday on a three-day visit. Matia, who agreed to visit India soon on the invitation of India’s invitation, said scientists from Bangladesh and India would share their expertise on the latest agricultural technologies and see how best they could use them for their own countries to increase productivity.

India wants Bangladesh to be in a forum against China

India is likely to offer a proposal to Bangladesh for water sharing of the River Teesta by involving two other neighbours- Nepal and Bhutan. Instead of reviving the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC), that remained inactive for the last six years, India is going to propose a multinational river commission to settle the disputes over the river Teesta, Brahmaputra and other rivers which originate from Tibet in China. India is also likely to propose certain provisions which can be followed at international level as a model for sharing cross-boundary rivers. The proposal, as it appears, is lucrative to Bangladesh which has on many occasions proposed for a regional approach on sharing of waters of the common rivers. However, diplomatic sources think that it was actually designed to put a collective pressure on China because India alone is finding it difficult to negotiate the issue with its big neighbour.

The Teesta originating from Tibet flows down into two streams and join together in Sikkim of India, where it takes the name Teesta and flows downwards to Bangladesh. It is one of the major sources of the Himalayan waters in the northern districts of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the secretary level meeting on sharing of Teesta waters ended inconclusively in Dhaka last week. Both sides, however, announced that they would suggest reactivation of the JRC, which would be finalised during Bangladesh Prime Minister's ongoing visit to New Delhi.

In response to Bangladesh's demand for water sharing of the Teesta, India will now try to convince Dhaka that the river was getting less water due to reduced flow at the upper region following diversion of waters from the source in Tibet. India has also reportedly prepared technical documents to show how the Teesta went reduced and fetching less waters, not sufficient for their cultivation in lean period. Meanwhile, Indian media and the intelligentsia have advised New Delhi not to put pressure on Hasina that she cannot agree due to her domestic compulsions. India wants the facility like use of Chittagong sea port and Ashuganj river port for carrying consignments to its land-locked north eastern states.

"India will request Hasina for these two facilities, but would not be unhappy if Hasina disagrees at this stage," the diplomatic sources said adding that India will not make any haste move but would wait for the convenient time. In response to Bangladesh's demand for reducing trade gap, India would send a delegation of experts to suggest for quality products so that such goods could attract foreign buyers. India is also going to offer technical support in overcoming agricultural problems in the south-western parts of the country, which is facing water-logging and salinity intrusion problems over the decades.

India has already offered a $ 500 million package for development of rail and power networks, dredging of rivers so that Indian goods carryhing vessels could operate smoothly. Another $1000 million would be offered for a five-year period. On Tinbigha issue , India at this moment, will not agree to hand over the corridor to Bangladesh in compliance with the Mujib-Indira accord of 1973, but would allow the construction of power transmission line to the Bangladesh enclave of Dahagram, according to Indian media sources. If everything moves well, the two neighbours will sign three accords mainly on security considerations, which are very important for India.

Speech by Prime Minister at Banquet hosted in honour of Prime Minister of Bangladesh

11/01/2010

Your Excellency Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you and your distinguished delegation to India. We are delighted that the first State visit of the new year is by a valued friend and close neighbour of India’s.

Excellency,

You are no stranger to India. Your life and struggles are a source of inspiration not only to the people of Bangladesh but to many around the world who cherish democracy, freedom and independence. We admire your courage and conviction, and your unwavering belief in the principles you uphold, for which you have personally sacrificed so much.

Your Excellency, you lead a country with strong democratic and cultural traditions. Bangladesh has led the way in South Asia in important areas of human development. We meet today as two vibrant and equal democracies that share common values and common goals.

The bonds between us are rich and suffused with history. There is very little that divides us. There is much that unites us. The links between us extend to every aspect of human life, be it social, economic, cultural, intellectual or political.

Excellency,

Relations with Bangladesh are of the highest priority for India. India stands ready to be a full and equal partner in the realisation of your vision of social change and economic development for Bangladesh.

India seeks to build a new future with Bangladesh. The time has come to chart a new path. We are ready to pursue a bold vision for our relations, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. Our two peoples want peace, security and prosperity. We should move forward to achieve these common goals for ourselves and for all the people of South Asia.

Your visit will open a new chapter in our relations. We have finalised several initiatives to build a true partnership of friendship and cooperation. We have agreed on the importance of showing sensitivity to each other’s concerns. We have agreed to cooperate in meeting the common challenges of climate change, and assuring food, water and energy security to our peoples.

Excellency,

India and Bangladesh are fortunate to have produced some of the finest writers, scholars and artists. The works of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam have inspired generations of people. This is a unique asset which binds our people, and which we must preserve.

Before I conclude, allow me to extend my heartiest felicitations to you on the conferment of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2009, which you richly deserve.

I wish you, your family and the distinguished members of your delegation a very pleasant stay in India.

Thank you.

If the Akhaura-Agartala line comes through and if Bangladesh agrees to provide transit rights to India, the distance between Kolkata and Agartala will be shortened by about 550km. At present, people travelling from Kolkata and Agartala have to take a circuitous route of 1600km through north eastern part of West Bengal which is often prone to landslides in the hilly areas, the sources said.

Bangladesh has not so far been enthusiastic about Akhaura-Agartala line apparently because it will bring up the issue of transit rights, which is a politically sensitive matter in Bangladesh. However, India would be amenable to the idea of movement of goods and not passengers on Kolkata-Dhaka-Akhaura-Agartala route, the sources added.

India today held out to Bangladesh a fulsome bouquet of goodies that included investments, scholarships and electricity. But the prize really lay in the ribbon New Delhi bound it all in — an unprecedented $1-billion (Rs 4,500 crore) credit line meant to boost bilateral ties to never-before heights. The $1-billion credit, double the $500 million anticipated in the run-up to Hasina’s visit, represents India’s highest one-time assistance to another country. Sources said that 35 to 40 per cent of the credit could later be turned into a grant, which means that portion need not be paid back. India’s aid to Afghanistan has topped $1 billion but the amount had accumulated in phases through separate announcements.

Abhi_G wrote:The Tipaimukh Hydel project in Manipur seems to have been shelved after talks with BD.

Aiming to remove Bangladeshi people's great concern, the Indian premier reiterated the assurance that his government will not take any step regarding the Tipaimukh dam project that might adversely impact Bangladesh.

Full text of jt communiqué

Following is the full text of the joint communiqué issued on the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India:

1. Reaffirming the shared history, traditional links and the desire of the leaders of the two countries to launch a new phase in their bilateral relations, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina is paying a state visit to India from January 10-13, 2010 at the invitation of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India. Apart from attending the official programme in New Delhi, the Bangladesh Prime Minister will also visit Ajmer Sharif.

2. The Bangladesh Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 11, 2010. She called on President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

3. Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna, Railway Minister Kumari Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Smt. Sushma Swaraj called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

4. Reflecting the friendly relations existing between the two neighbouring countries, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in her capacity as President of the Awami League Party and the Awami League-led Mohajote government also called on Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance. She also met with former Prime Minister Shri. I.K. Gujral. The meetings and exchanges were marked by great warmth and cordiality on both sides.

5. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh paid tribute and respect to the memories of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawarlal Nehru, Smt Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi at Rajghat, Shantivana, Shaktisthal and Virbhumi respectively.

6. During the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2009 at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

7. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh had a meeting with the Prime Minister of India on January 11, 2010, which was followed by delegation level talks. The talks were marked by great warmth, deep understanding and a spirit of close friendship between the two sides. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted a banquet in honour of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her accompanying delegation.

8. On the Bangladesh side, assisting the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in the talks were: Mr. Ramesh Chandra Sen, MP, Minister of Water Resources; Dr. Dipu Moni MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Advisers to the Prime Minister Mr. H.T. Imam, Mr. Mashiur Rahman and Mr. Gowher Rizvi; High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Mr. Tariq A. Karim and other senior officials of the Bangladesh Government.

9. On the Indian side, assisting the Prime Minister of India were: Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister; Shri P. Chidambaram, Home Minister; Shri S.M. Krishna, External Affairs Minister; Kumari Mamata Banerjee, Minister of Railways; Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce; Smt Preneet Kaur, Minister of State for External Affairs; Shri M.K. Narayanan, National Security Adviser; Shri T.K.A Nair, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister and other senior officials of the Indian Government.

10. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party's impressive electoral victory in the general elections held in December 2008 and lauded the people of Bangladesh for their abiding faith in democracy, which eventually paved the way for return of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh. Both leaders agreed that the recent elections in both countries presented them with a historic opportunity to write a new chapter in their relationship.

11. The Bangladesh Prime Minister recalled the shared bonds of history, culture and aspirations that bind Bangladesh and India, and paid tribute to the sacred memory of the lives sacrificed for the freedom and independence of the two countries. She called for rededicating efforts to establish a society free from ignorance, fear and want.

12. Both the Prime Ministers agreed on a vision for the future in the pursuit of the common good - bilaterally, regionally and globally. In this context, they reiterated their commitment to work together to solve all issues through cooperation and mutual understanding. They also shared their outlook on the strengthening and reform of multilateral institutions in which developing countries have an effective voice and participation.

13. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the Prime Minister of India recognize that peace and stability in the region is necessary for development and well-being of the people of their respective countries. In this context, they emphasized the importance of close cooperation between India and Bangladesh and the need to effectively harness their respective resources for the good of the peoples of the two countries.

14. The two Prime Ministers agreed to put in place a comprehensive framework of cooperation for development between the two countries, encapsulating their mutually shared vision for the future, which would include cooperation in water resources, power, transportation and connectivity, tourism and education. They agreed on the need to operationalize the various areas of cooperation at the earliest.

15. Both Prime Ministers agreed to consider strengthening diplomatic and consular presence in each other's countries.

16. Both Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to democracy, pluralism and rule of law. They expressed satisfaction that the people of both countries have rejected violence, extremism and terrorism and reaffirmed their faith in democracy and development. In this quest, the two leaders resolved to work together to strengthen the forces of democracy and moderation.

17. Both Prime Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They noted that security remained a priority for both countries, as terrorists, insurgents and criminals respect no boundaries. They underscored the need for both countries to actively cooperate on security issues. Both leaders reiterated the assurance that the territory of either would not be allowed for activities inimical to the other and resolved not to allow their respective territory to be used for training, sanctuary and other operations by domestic or foreign terrorist/militant and insurgent organizations and their operatives.

18. Welcoming the Home Secretary level talks held in New Delhi in December 2009, the two Prime Ministers directed their respective Ministries and agencies to cooperate closely and implement all decisions taken during the talks. While recognizing the need to check cross border crimes, both Prime Ministers agreed that the respective border guarding forces exercise restraint and underscored the importance of regular meetings between the border guarding forces to curtail illegal cross border activities and prevent loss of lives.

19. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh thanked the Prime Minister of India for facilitating the provision of electricity in Dahagram-Angarpota and invited India to construct a flyover across Tin Bigha Corridor for exclusive Indian use, as agreed earlier.

20. Both Prime Ministers agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues keeping in view the spirit of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement. In this context, agreed to convene the Joint Boundary Working Group to take this process forward.

21. Both Prime Ministers agreed on the need to amicably demarcate the maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh. They noted the initiation of proceedings under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and, in this context, welcomed the visit of a delegation from Bangladesh to India.

22. It was agreed that Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India shall be declared ports of call. The IWTT Protocol shall be amended through exchange of letters. A joint team will assess the improvement of infrastructure and the cost for one-time or longer term transportation of ODCs (Over Dimensional Cargo) from Ashuganj. India will make the necessary investment. Both Governments agreed to expedite implementation. Contractors from both countries shall be eligible for the work.

23. It was agreed that Bangladesh will allow use of Mongla and Chittagong sea ports for movement of goods to and from India through road and rail. Bangladesh also conveyed their intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access to Mongla and Chittagong ports.

24. It was agreed that the construction of the proposed Akhaura Agartala railway link be financed by grant from India. A joint team of the railway authorities of the two countries will identify the alignment for connectivity.

25. They welcomed the starting of “Maitree Express” between Kolkata and Dhaka and called for resumption of road and rail links between the two countries.

26. The Prime Ministers agreed that RohanpurSingabad broad gauge railway link would be available for transit to Nepal. Bangladesh informed of their intention to convert Radhikapur Birol railway line into broad gauge and requested for railway transit link to Bhutan as well.

27. Recognizing the sufferings of the people of both sides in the face of scarcity of lean season flows of the Teesta River, the Prime Ministers expressed that the discussions on the sharing of the Teesta waters between India and Bangladesh should be concluded expeditiously. The two Prime Ministers directed their respective Water Resources Ministers to convene the Ministerial

28. +-level meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission in this quarter of 2010. The Joint Rivers Commission will also discuss issues relating to Feni, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.

29. They also agreed that the following actions be taken:
a. Dredging of Ichhamati; and
b. River protection at Mahananda, Karatoa, Nagar, Kulik, Atrai, Dharla, and Feni

30. The Prime Minister of India agreed to support implementation of strategy of Government of Bangladesh to dredge rivers for flood control, navigation and access to ports. In this context, India agreed to provide, inter alia, dredgers to Bangladesh on an urgent basis. Bangladesh indicated the need for 9 dredgers.

31. The Prime Minister of India reiterated the assurance that India would not take steps on the Tipaimukh project that would adversely impact Bangladesh.

32. The Prime Minister of India agreed to supply to Bangladesh 250 MW electricity from its grid. In this context, both Prime Ministers emphasized the need to expedite inter-grid connectivity. They also agreed that the two countries shall cooperate in development and exchange of electricity, including generation from renewable sources, and may set up joint projects or corporate entities for that purpose.

33. With a view to encouraging imports from Bangladesh, both countries agreed to address removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers and port restrictions and facilitate movement of containerized cargo by rail and water. In this context, Bangladesh welcomed India's initiative to provide duty-free access to SAARC LDCs to the Indian market. Bangladesh also welcomed the reduction of the number of items from India's negative list that were of direct interest to Bangladesh and requested for further reduction in the list.

34. The Prime Minister of India agreed to support the upgradation of the Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute with a view to building capacity on certification.

35. The Prime Ministers agreed that investments, including joint investment and joint ventures, shall be encouraged by both countries. They agreed that the participation of the private sector in both countries will give an added fillip to economic engagement between the two countries.

36. The Prime Ministers agreed to operationalize land customs stations at Sabroom-Ramgarh and Demagiri-Thegamukh including putting in place necessary infrastructure and issue necessary notifications. Further, with respect to existing land custom stations, it was agreed to take measures for strengthening infrastructure.

37. It was agreed that border haats shall be established on a pilot basis at selected areas, including on the Meghalaya border, to allow trade in specified produces and products and in accordance with the regulations agreed and notified by both Governments.

38. It was agreed that trucks for movement from Bhutan and Nepal be allowed to enter about 200 meters into Zero Point at Banglabandh at Banglabandh-Phulbari land customs station. Necessary arrangements shall be mutually agreed and put in place by both countries.

39. The Prime Minister of India announced a line of credit of US$ 1 billion for a range of projects, including railway infrastructure, supply of BG locomotives and passenger coaches, rehabilitation of Saidpur workshop, procurement of buses including articulate buses and dredging projects.

40. Bangladesh requested for assistance to construct road infrastructure in Dhaka, including flyovers. India agreed to consider this request.

41. Recalling the shared legacy of the great poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the Prime Ministers agreed to oversee the joint celebrations of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore in 2011 in a manner befitting his vision and spirit.

42. Government of India would offer Bangladesh 300 scholarships annually for a period of five years for study and training in Universities and training institutions in India, covering a wide range of disciplines as may be required by scholars and persons in government employment. The number may be increased through mutual consultation.

43. Both Prime Ministers underscored the role of SAARC in promoting regional cooperation. Both leaders agreed to work together in making SAARC a purposeful organization oriented towards implementation, which can revitalize the region through positive measures, concerted action and mutually reinforcing cooperation.

44. Both leaders welcomed the various steps taken to strengthen regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. In this context, Bangladesh requested India to support its aspiration to host the BIMSTEC Secretariat in Dhaka. India agreed to give the request due consideration.

45. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the initiatives taken at the Climate Change Summit at Copenhagen in December 2009. They underlined that climate change was one of the most important global challenges. They reaffirmed the provisions and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including that of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and underscored the importance of its full, effective and sustained implementation, giving due consideration to the needs of those which are most vulnerable, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Africa.

46. Both leaders recognized that the eradication of poverty and ensuring food security were great challenges of the century. They agreed that the international community should initiate a fully coordinated response and address these issues in a comprehensive manner, from short to medium and long term. They also recognized the need to give added focus on rural development policies, transfer and diffusion of technology and development, in particular to enhance agricultural productivity.

47. The Prime Ministers underscored the importance of an effective multilateral system, centered on a strong United Nations, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. In this context, they stressed the urgent need to pursue the reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to make it more representative, credible and effective, particularly with regard to its working method. They also advocated involvement of smaller countries in the reform process.

48. Responding to the Prime Minister of India, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh conveyed her country's support in principle for India's candidature for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council as and when the reform of the UN Security Council is achieved. Bangladesh conveyed its support to the Indian Candidature for a non-permanent seat in the UNSC for the term 2011-2012. India also conveyed its support to the Bangladesh's candidature for a non-permanent seat in UNSC for the term 2016-2017.

49. The two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing in their presence of the following accords:
a. Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters
b. Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons
c. Agreement on Combating International Terrorism, Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking
d. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Power Sector
e. Cultural Exchange Programme

The Prime Ministers also expressed the desire that Line of Credit and the comprehensive framework of cooperation for development be operationalized at the earliest.

50. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh thanked the Prime Minister of India and the Indian Government and people for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to her and the members of her delegation during their stay in India.

51. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, on behalf of herself, her Government and the people of Bangladesh, extended her warm invitation to the Prime Minister of India and Mrs. Manmohan Singh to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. The Prime Minister of India thanked the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and accepted the invitation with great pleasure. The dates for the visit would be decided by mutual consultations through diplomatic channels.

India and Bangladesh's state-run power producers agreed to cooperate on the following projects:
a) The preparation of a feasibility report for two coal-fired power plants at Khulna and Chittagong - approximately 1320 MW each. NTPC will be offered to develop one of these projects in a joint venture with BPDB.
b) NTPC will have the opportunity to carry out technical assessment for BPDB's old thermal power stations for efficiency improvement, renovation and modernisation.
c) NTPC will provide training to power professionals from BPDB for their development. BPDP may first consider using the existing training modules of NTPC and assign some of their professionals for development.
A long-term plan will be prepared simultaneously by NTPC for BPDB to utilise NTPC training facilities through tailor-made programmes to be organised by NTPC in India and Bangladesh.
d) To immediately start cooperation between the two companies, NTPC suggested to take up the O&M of Power Stations in Bangladesh on nomination, on a cost-plus basis.

With all the controversy and indeed fears generated over the long-term effects of the Tipaimukh dam on Bangladesh, we expect that Bangladesh's concerns will be fully met. As it is, the Indian Prime Minister has assured our Prime Minister of not doing anything that will harm the interest of Bangladesh in any manner. That said, there is yet the unresolved issue of a sharing of the waters of the Teesta and other common rivers, a point the Bangladesh leader raised with her Indian counterpart. Rivers being an integral part of life in Bangladesh, it is simply not enough to say that water-sharing has been discussed. It is critically important that substantive discussions on the issue begin in light of the just-concluded summit in Delhi. The goodwill generated by Sheikh Hasina's visit should facilitate satisfactory resolution of the water-sharing issue.

ArmenT wrote:Bangladeshi villagers help themselves to Indian wood
Looks like they chopped everything down on their side and must now cross the border for their livelihood.

All this suggests that both countries are serious about opening a new chapter. But one ought not to minimise the challenges that lie ahead. One test will be whether India is prepared to allow Bangladeshi garment manufacturers preferential market access. Another will be its willingness to craft agreements on the equitable sharing of all river waters. As the bigger economy, India needs to go the extra mile in giving a boost to its neighbour’s economic potential, especially considering that Sheikh Hasina has moved so far in addressing longstanding Indian requests on transit.

Insiders said the party had also decided to return to the parliament, ending its long abstention.

The criticism came even as foreign relation analysts and business leaders reacted differently to Hasina’s visit. “The decision to offer India our port facilities will help enhancement of trade relations. The issue should be seen from an economic point of view instead of politics,” Bangladesh Economic Society president Q.K. Ahmed said.

B'desh and India governments mulling 'extradition treaty'

New Delhi, 13 January : Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, on the last day of her India visit, indicated that Dhaka and New Delhi were mulling a formal extradition treaty. "We have signed three agreements (on combating crime). Side by side, discussions are being held on an extradition treaty," she told a news-conference in capital as her 4-day tour of India drew to a close. India and Bangladesh gave a boost to bilateral security cooperation by striking three deals during Hasina's visit, Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Agreement on Combating International Terrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

B'desh backs India for UN seat, To fast-track boundary solution

New Delhi, 12 January : Turning a new chapter in their ties, India and Bangladesh have decided to fast-track the solution to their boundary dispute and fight terrorism under a new framework of security cooperation.
A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina held talks that transformed the bilateral ties, the two countries issued a joint communique in which they resolved to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and enhance trade and connectivity between them. Marking a new level of optimism in their ties, PM Sheikh Hasina expressed her country’s support in principle for India’s candidature for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, a joint statement said.

The village, directly north of Dhaka and bordering the Indian state of Meghalaya, has for years seen the forests surrounding it denuded. So villagers have found a new way of gathering valuable wood. They go across the border into India and cut down wood there. But it is a risky exercise, as the area is regularly patrolled by Indian border guards and in places now has a huge barbed wire security fence. "We have no other means of earning a living," says villager Abdul Razaq who daily goes to India to collect wood.

Unabated mining of groundwater for irrigation is causing heavy deposits of arsenic in vast tracts of the country's cultivable lands, posing a threat to crop production in future. Noting that non-flooded lands are particularly at risk of arsenic accumulation due to heavy dependency on groundwater irrigation for paddy production, two Bangladeshi researchers have cautioned against further expansion of dry-season rice -- Boro-- at the cost of depositing more arsenic in soil. They also found penetration of arsenic into the grains, though at a low level. And they found presence of up to 0.3 milligram of arsenic in per kilogram of paddy grown in their research site in Munshiganj district.

Prof M Ashraf Ali, one of the researchers, said, “We cannot say for sure the degree of health hazard it poses for human body right at the moment as there is no set standard of permissible arsenic level in food as yet.” He went on, “If the croplands continue to accumulate larger amount of arsenic, the level of its penetration into the food chain will be higher too posing greater risks.” Arsenic is a notoriously poisonous metalloid classified as a Class-1 carcinogen, meaning it is too harmful to humans. Other Class-1 carcinogens include asbestos, formaldehyde and hepatitis B and C viruses.

About a question on India's planned Tipaimukh dam, she said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured that his country would do nothing that would be harmful to Bangladesh and its people. “The last BNP-Jamaat government approved the Flood Action Plan in which Tipaimukh affairs were included. Why didn't they protest during their tenure?” Hasina asked.

Queried why Bangladesh could not conclude the much-expected Teesta water-sharing treaty, she said the BNP-Jamaat alliance did nothing during their tenure to advance the process of Teesta treaty. "I'm however hopeful we will be able to ink a deal," she added.

Foreign policy analysts, economists and former diplomats yesterday said the Bangladesh-India summit marked a bold shift in the relationship between the two countries and the success of it would depend on proper implementation of follow-up actions. However, some others regarded the summit as disappointing and said Bangladesh had lost its bargaining position by conceding to Indian demands for allowing use of its ports and signing deals on terrorism. They said Bangladesh got little against its demand for a deal on Teesta water sharing and scrapping Tipaimukh dam project. They were talking at a roundtable organised by The Daily Star yesterday on the summit and its outcome at the newspaper's conference room.

It was felt that the agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) would create new frontiers of economic activities if implemented properly. For the first time, Bangladesh would be able to trade its service in the form of transportation of Indian goods and thereby reduce the huge trade gap between the two countries. But some others felt that instead of surprising the nation with some of the agreements, the government should have discussed the issues in parliament and reached a consensus. {But the Oppn never turned up in the Jotiya Songsad, no?}

They also felt that the immediate task now is to form a high-level ministerial committee and move towards implementation of the agreements. Prof Rehman Sobhan said the Bangladesh-India summit set the climate for negotiation on unresolved bilateral issues, including maritime and land boundaries and water-sharing issues. He, however, said critical issues cannot be solved in one summit. "A summit is all about atmosphere and communication. Through this summit the climate has been set," he said, adding, "We cannot expect the prime minister to come home with a bagful of goodies."

Adviser to the BNP chairperson, Reaz Rahman, described the outcome of the summit as very disappointing. "Look at the Indian gains. There are too many gifts for India. The balance of the game was seriously skewed," he said, terming the move to open up Chittagong and Mongla ports to India "mega concessions". He said Bangladesh made four "mega concessions" in bilateral security, connectivity, economic cooperation and "psychological game". "The concessions will have far-reaching implications," he said. He criticised the government for neither examining the issues nor discussing them with the opposition. On the energy sector, Reaz, who is also the former adviser to the foreign ministry, said the government made a quantum leap into the dark. Bitterly criticising the government for allowing India to use Mongla and Chittagong ports, he said, "In my opinion the Awami League has seriously endangered our nation."

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni strongly protested the statement of Reaz Rahman. She said the visit should be evaluated from the South Asian context. It was not just a bilateral visit as the main focus of the trip was connectivity. Regarding Reaz's claim about the "quantum leap", she said they were in the dark before as there has been no investment in the power sector during the last seven years. On supporting India for getting permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, Dipu Moni said the BNP-led government had done the same with Japan on July 14, 2005. She said the issues of water sharing of the Teesta, Tipaimukh dam project and maritime boundary did not come up suddenly. "After 1975, BNP was in power for 16 years but the issues were never raised," she claimed. Dipu Moni urged her political opponents not to oppose for the sake of opposing. She said Bangladesh wants to move forward.

Former diplomat Farook Sobhan said if Bangladesh wants to accelerate its growth between eight and nine percent and achieve the status of a middle-income country, there is no other way but to build regional and sub-regional economic cooperation. "The key to Bangladesh's growth and development is connectivity," he said. Greater cooperation with India, Bhutan and Nepal would open up the opportunities, he said, adding that India has made a major concession in giving Bhutan and Nepal transit to Bangladesh. He said the visit would also give a huge push for Indian investment in Bangladesh.

Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International, termed the prime minister's India visit "courageous". "India is an economic power and we need to follow the tail end," she said. She, moreover, expressed sadness for hearing little about the opportunities that might be created by the visit.

Annisul Huq, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), expressed unhappiness over the lack of cooperation among South Asian countries despite its huge population. Under South Asian Free Trade Area (Safta), most of the products of Bangladesh, including apparels, get duty-free access but it is the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) that are creating obstacles, he said. He said, "It [NTB] looks small but the implications are much bigger." Citing an example he said Indian trucks can enter Bangladesh territory but Bangladeshi trucks cannot enter Indian territory. He said NTBs such as testing certificates and labelling also hinder the country's exports to India. {That is, because sir, there are environmental standards that every country put forth to protect its own interests, if BD cannot meet the standard Oiropean standards while India can, is it the blame of India?}

The president of the apex trade body also suggested that a committee be formed to address and resolve NTB issues. Anisuddowla, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), blamed the policymakers for not analysing the full outcome of the agreements. India has been allowed to use Bangladesh's seaports, he said, adding, "We have nothing in our hand to negotiate the next time." {same standard cry you guys have been making for the last 40+ years, we have nothing in hand, we have nothing in hand when you have a huge population in hand, why you even against a Burma that is 1/3rd your population, you against an India that has 7 times the population, you only dont against a china that is 8 1/2 times your population despite the fact that the chinis sided with the pakis in 71, and they are screwing you far more in terms of business deals than India or Burma or the rest of the world put together can screw you. So much for intellect or common sense.}

Former adviser to a caretaker government CM Shafi Sami said a new horizon has opened through the visit. Prof Shahiduzzaman of Dhaka University said the prime minister's India visit has shifted the paradigm of Indo-Bangla relations, which has significant impacts on Bangladesh. The visit proves that Bangladesh's foreign policy has become dynamic, he said, adding that the opposition of the parliament should consider the geopolitical position of the country. {but is nt that asking for the moon from morons?}

Referring to killing of Bangladeshis in the borders, former ambassador Ashfaque Ahmed said the issue has been a serious matter of concern but had been almost ignored during the visit. Harun-ur Rashid, former ambassador to UN, said there is hope that confusion over Bangladesh's relation with India has been removed with the PM's visit. On trade gap between Bangladesh and India, he said trade deficit between China and Japan is much higher than that of these two countries, but the issue had not been discussed. "Opening up Mongla and Chittagong ports for India, Bhutan and Nepal in no way can be a security threat."

Regarding supporting India for its candidature to the UN Security Council, he said a country is selected regionally for such candidature. As china is already a member of the council, it may not like Bangladesh's support to India. Former ambassador Jamil Majid said having good relations with India did not mean that there would not be any problems in future. Therefore, the Indo-Bangla summit needed serious follow-ups if good results are to be achieved. “Success of the visit will actually depend on follow-ups,” he said.

Communist Party General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim said the prime minister's visit to India was very important and it should be considered as a step forward. “Mere joint communiqué would not bring any result for the country if we cannot seal agreements with India," Selim said, calling upon all not to make any sweeping comment on the outcome of the visit. Anisul Islam Mahmud, presidium member of Jatiya Party, congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her "bold step" to improve relation with India. He criticised the governments assumed power after the killing of Bangabandhu for their anti-India politics and misleading the people. He also censured Reaz Rahman for his comment on the government's handing Ulfa leader Arabinda Rajkhowa over to India, which would be a threat to the security of Bangladesh. He also ruled out another allegation of the government making Bangladesh a market for India, saying, "It was BNP who made Bangladesh an open market for India during its regime in 1991-1996. {what is this? Jatiya Party siding with AL? what is going on here? Has HM Ershad's son decided to become dynamic in terms of the future course of JP?}

BNP standing committee member and former army chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said the visit was more beneficial to India. Problems relating to Indian insurgents would intensify through allowing India to use Mongla and Chittagong seaports, he said criticising the government for not holding discussions with the opposition party before the PM's India visit. National Press Club President Shawkat Mahmud said the PM's visit to India has certainly created a new era and would help build up confidence in India-Bangladesh relationships. He also accused the government for not informing the people about the agreements that would allow India to use Bangladesh's seaports and railway connectivity with Ashuganj prior to the visit. He also said the prime minister could not have public opinion on these issues before the visit and feared that severe political disagreement might arise in the country. {she got the overwhelming mandate in the election and it is not even a year down, so wtf are you farting genius?}

Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman also said the prime minister or the foreign minister could have discussed about the visit with Khaleda Zia as part of their bid for a national consensus on the issues. He blamed the government for giving confusing information about the visit. “We knew about signing of three agreements. But we did not have a clear idea about the use of ports by India, Bhutan and Nepal,” he added. Abdul Matlub Ahmed, president of Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry hoped that the India visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would boost trade and investment in the country.

Executive Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Prof Mustafizur Rahman, journalist Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Director General of Bangladesh Institute for International and Strategic Studies Maj Gen Sk Munirul Islam, AL lawmaker Mostafa Faruk Mohammad and former ambassador Afsarul Qader were present at the discussion. The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam moderated the roundtable.

The joint communiqué issued on January 12, 2010 during Hasina's visit to India said: "The prime minister of Bangladesh conveyed her country's support in principle for India's candidature for the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council when the reform of the UN Security Council is achieved." It further said Bangladesh conveyed its support to the Indian candidature for a non-permanent seat in UNSC for the term 2011-2012. India also conveyed its support to Bangladesh's candidature for a non-permanent seat in UNSC for the term 2016-2017.

Move to 'restore '72 constitution' protested Islamic agitators

Dhaka, 15 January : Several thousand people on Friday brought out a procession in the capital protesting the government's move to restore the Bangladesh's constitution of 1972. The protesters, under the banner of national committee to protect the Islamic and religion-based politics, also held a rally on Bijoynagar Road and demanded immediate removal of the law minister. Earlier on 4 January, Bangladesh Law Minister Shafique Ahmed said religion based politics will be banned if cancellation of the fifth amendment to the country's constitution is finalised by the Supreme Court (SC). But, he added that the words Bismillah-Ar-Rahman-Ar-Rahim in the preamble of the constitution and its declaration of Islam as the state religion will remain intact. The agitators brought out the procession from Baitul Mokarram National Mosque after the Jumma prayers and paraded through National Press Club, Paltan before terminating at Bijoynagar Road.

Sundarbans: Indo-Bangla joint forum to protect eco-system

New Delhi, 15 January : India is considering setting up a joint forum with Bangladesh for protecting the ecosystem of the Sundarbans and dealing with issues related to its eco-management. After a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in Kolkata, Indian Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said he has started a dialogue to form a join forum to protect the bio-diversity of the Sundarbans. A master plan with estimated cost of Rs 200 crore has been placed with the World Bank for the development and integrated coastal management of the Sundarbans in five years and expecting a report from the World Bank by August-September this year, he said. Meanwhile, the Indian government has sanctioned Rs 9 crore as annual grant for the Sundarbans this year, he added. Nearly 60 percent of the Sundarbans lies in Bangladesh. Its protection is crucial for both the countries to fight climate change.

MK Narayanan - West Bengal
Chief of Intelligence Bureau during Rajiv Gandhi's prime ministerial term, Narayanan was appointed to the PMO by the UPA government. But within days of settling down to Manmohan Singh's PMO, he began clashing repeatedly with JN Dixit, who was then the NSA. Dixit died a few months later, paving the way for Narayanan's rise as NSA. Narayanan enjoys the trust of both Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.

Equations changed for Narayanan following the exit of Shivraj Patil from the home ministry post the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The Congress had to take a call-between Narayanan's loyalties and Chidambaram's public posturing as an efficient minister. By appointing Narayanan as governor of politically crucial West Bengal, the Congress seems to have struck a balancing act.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit was not only a failure, but also a harmful event for the country too.

In her formal reaction to the visit, Khaleda Zia at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office said the prime minister returned home empty-handed from India.

She said the people became angry viewing the huge reception to the prime minister who returned home by giving away everything to India.

The people never saw such reception to the prime minister, Khaleda said adding it was actually meant to cover the failures.

abhishek_sharma wrote: One can only wonder what she wants.