NEW DELHI, June 1 – The irritants in the relations between India and Bangladesh came to the fore once again, when India’s new External Affairs Minister, K Natwar Singh today raised the issue of insurgent outfits operating from its soil, illegal infiltration problem and the recent arms haul in Chittagong with the visiting Bangladesh Foreign Minister, M Morshed Khan.
Although both the sides refrained from making any critical remarks, the visiting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister reacted to India’s concern in a round about way. “Bangladesh is a country of 55,000 square mile and we need every mile for agriculture and development activities. There is no space available for insurgents or terrorists but can anyone say they can be stopped totally?” he asked, arguing that the main issue was whether Government was acting in the right direction.
M Morshed Khan is among the first foreign dignitaries to meet the new UPA team. Next to arrive here is the Foreign Minister of Royal Government of Bhutan, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, who will pay an official visit from June 7 to 10. Senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan will accompany him.
Foreign Minister Wangchuk is scheduled to call on Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and have talks with External Affairs Minister, besides the Ministers of Finance, Commerce and Industry, Power and National Security Advisor.
Meanwhile, Khan is carrying special messages from Prime Minister Begum Khaleda to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi. Since his arrival here he met the Minister for External Affairs, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, Water Resources Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi and National Security Adviser JN Dixit M Morshed Khan today had an early morning meeting with Natwar Singh at his South Block Office, after which they jointly spoke to newsmen. The two Ministers without going into details, mentioned that all the contentious issues ranging from river linking to camps run by North East-based insurgents to illegal migration problems figured during the one-to-one meeting.
“All the contentious issues like terrorist activities were discussed and we understand that there is a need to address these issues more seriously and the two countries have pledged not to allow political considerations to affect their bilateral ties,” While the External Affairs Minister expressed concern over the operation of militant camps in Bangladesh and activities of leaders of outfits like the outlawed ULFA, NDFB, NLFT and ATTF among others who are suspected to be based in the country, Khan raised the issue of the presence of militant leaders wanted in the country.
Bangladesh Government claims that rebels belonging to the Preeti group of Shanti Bahini are operating from its hideouts in Tripura besides leaders of four other outfits with two of them, from the Hindu ultra right wing militant outfits are taking shelters in West Bengal. India, on the other hand, has been claiming that the number of camps run by the militant outfits in Bangladesh has gone up in the past six months. According to the recent list supplied to Bangladesh Rifles last month by the BSF, the number of such camps were estimated to be over 194. Bangladesh has denied the existence of the camps as it has ruled out the presence of leaders like the ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Baruah, its chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa and the NDFB chairman, Ranjan Daimari, among others named by India.
The recent seizure of the huge arsenal of weapons is the latest entrant in the agenda. India’s efforts at seeking more information about the arms haul have not been successful. India’s concern is that the consignment may have been meant for the NE ultras. Meanwhile, the External Affairs Minister said that every aspect of the relationship between the two countries was discussed in a spirit of cordiality, warmth and mutual understanding. “Both India and Bangladesh are important members of SAARC and NAM, and we should work together in international forum.” Whatever the differences whether on issue of visa, non-tariff barriers, water sharing or river linking, the two sides have decided that whenever some serious issues come up instead of allowing a mishap to happen they would talk with each other, Singh said.