NEW DELHI, Feb 14 ? Assam as well as other North East States may have apprehensions over being swamped by Bangladeshi infiltrators, but the Government of the country considers this fear as irritant, with visiting Foreign Minister Morshed Khan hinting that it could be tackled under international rules on migration. There are international set rules regarding illegal migrants, Khan told a meeting of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here today.
The Foreign Minister?s comments came before his formal meeting with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha when the contentious issues were raised by India. He is calling on Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister tomorrow. But in his interaction with the captains of industry, he assured that Bangladesh has taken anti-terrorist measures. India among other charges has accused Bangladesh of not only harbouring North-east based militant outfit like ULFA and NDFB but turning a blind eye to the rising activities of ISI in the country.
The meeting with the CII that was called to promote business ties between the two countries saw the Foreign Minister also dwelling on bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh. Indo-Bangladesh relations should be improved bilaterally and not through a third party, he said. Indo-Bangladesh relationship has to be on mutual respect. ?Although there are irritants like the porous border, undermarcated 6.5 km of international border Bangladesh is doing everything to improve relations with India. Irritants should not be a stumbling block for betterment of our people,? he said.
Amidst report that the Bangladesh Foreign Minister himself was in trouble back home and faces the prospect of being shifted out of the Foreign Ministry, Khan has been emphasizing the need to shift focus from politics to business. But this has not amused the NDA Government, which is piqued at Foreign Minister for not having any Home Ministry officials in his team. Under pressure from the North Eastern States to act, the Central Government is looking for some concrete assurance from Bangladesh side to pave the way for resolution of problems.
At the CII meeting Khan told businessmen that although the Government are there to strengthen ties, the onus lay on the business communities on either sides to take the initiative on them. Business communities on both sides should display a more vibrant approach, he suggested. On the business prospect in his country, he highlighted the removal of non-tariff barriers and opening the Bangladesh economy. He mentioned that Bangladesh was pursuing the second phase of reforms which pertains to the legal framework.