[ALOCHONA] Dhaka yet to decide on India transit issue

Dhaka yet to decide on India transit issue New Delhi is likely to seek transit from Dhaka for goods movement from one part to another through Bangladesh during the scheduled visit of India's external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee to Dhaka on February 9.Diplomatic sources on Thursday told New Age the government was yet to decide whether to respond positively to India's proposals, covering both land and waterway, especially for the movement of goods from Kolkata to India's north-east. Officials in Dhaka, however, observed Bangladesh could not allow Indian any transit, despite New Delhi's pressure, for certain factors such as lack of infrastructure and logistics, absence of in-depth assessment of possible gains from such an 'economic issue' and its impact on internal security. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance was, however, hopeful of getting a positive response as the Awami League-led alliance assumed office with an overwhelming majority in the December 29 general elections.Apart from seeking transit, Mukherjee will focus on strong cooperation between the two next-door neighbours on counterterrorism, said diplomatic sources. As for much-talked-about issue of providing India with transit, officials in the foreign ministry said they were preparing their papers on the issue, with explanations of various points.As for gesture Dhaka may have in connection with the issue, a high ministry official evaded a direct reply, but hinted the issue would be discussed thoroughly before a positive response could be formulated. 'As for India's proposals, we need to asses the benefits from such propositions and get the final approval of the government for signing agreements with India, also keeping in mind the political implication,' said the official.He said in the current mechanism, the government needs to get opinions of several ministries, including foreign, commerce, shipping and communications, in such cases. Another official of the ministry said the foreign ministry was involved in the preparation of its position. But the final decision might be made at the political level.He said, 'As India has proposed to use various modes of transit, we are working on that basis.'The official said Indian had last floated the proposal on August 20, 2007 when New Delhi proposed a five-year deal on the regulations of passenger and cargo traffic between the two countries. In the draft, New Delhi proposed allowing Indian goods vehicles and container cargoes to enter the Bangladesh territory through the Benapole land port and again enter Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram in India through the Bangladesh border points at Tamabil, Bibirbazar and Khagrachari. http://www.newagebd.com/2009/feb/01/front.html

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