Newstaday on 15/11/09
Stop killings by BSF, Khaleda asks Rao
BNP chairperson and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia Saturday said her party is committed to maintaining friendly relations with India but stressed resolving the unsettled issues between Bangladesh and the neighboring country through the ongoing consultation, reports UNB.
The former Prime Minister expressed concern over the killing of innocent and unarmed Bangladeshi people, including the recent killing of a baby, in the border areas by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troops.
She made the observations when the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, paid a courtesy call on the opposition leader at her Gulshan office.
After the meeting BNP chairperson''s Foreign Affairs Adviser Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told reporters that Begum Zia told the Indian emissary that decision over various outstanding issues would have to be taken in a win-win way so that both the countries get benefited.
In this regard, Khaleda said, "India as a big country and will have to come up with a broad mind. As a result, the friendly relations will further be enhanced."
Regarding the killings by BSF, Khaleda told the top India official that she hopes that the Indian government will take appropriate steps to stop such killings.
The former Prime Minister recalled her bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi in 2006 when she was Prime Minister. At the time, Begum Zia had apprised Dr Manmohan of Bangladesh''s concern over India''s plan to construct Tipaimukh dam on the common river Borak. And she had also hoped that India would not take any step that harms Bangladesh''s interests.
Begum Zia also mentioned her recent letter sent to the Indian premier over the Tipaimukh-dam issue and suggested carrying out technical assessment of the possible adverse impacts on Bangladesh.
Responding to Khaleda''s observations about the killings by BSF, the Indian Foreign Secretary was quoted as saying that "the Indian government always carries out investigation into the border incidents."
About Tipaimukh dam, Nirupama said Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh "would not do anything which goes against Bangladesh''s interest".
On the wide trade gap between Bangladesh and India, the BNP chairperson told her that there is ample scope for import of goods by India from Bangladesh, which would help enhance the economy of Bangladesh as well as improve the bilateral ties.
Replying to a question Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said, "The matter of transit was not discussed in the meeting."
The Leader of the Opposition, Khaleda Zia, conveyed greetings through the FS to the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and ruling Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.
The meeting that lasted 45 minutes from 6:30 pm was held "in a friendly atmosphere", the reporters were told.
BNP secretary-general Khandaker Delwar Hossain and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty were also present at the meeting
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