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India, B’Desh agree to address all outstanding land boundary issues | India and Bangladesh have agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues keeping in view the spirit of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement
and also to convene the Joint Boundary Working Group to take this process forward in this context. On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 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 . 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. It has been 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 has also conveyed its intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access
to Mongla and Chittagong ports. It has been agreed that the construction of the
proposed Akhaura – Agartala railway link be financed by grant from India . In
this regard, a joint team of the railway authorities of the two countries will
identify the alignment for connectivity. Meanwhile, hailing the commencement of
“Maitree Express” between Kolkata and Dhaka , both the Prime Ministers called
for resumption of road and rail links between the two countries. They agreed that
Rohanpur–Singabad 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.
Moreover, recognizing the sufferings of the people of both sides in the face of
scarcity of lean season flows of the Teesta River , Dr. Singh and Sheikh Hasina
opined 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-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. It was also agreed that the aforesaid actions be taken which include
Dredging of Ichhamati and River protection at Mahananda, Karatoa, Nagar, Kulik,
Atrai, Dharla, and Feni. Prime Minister Dr. Singh 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 (nine)
dredgers.
Dr. Singh reiterated the assurance that India would not take steps on the Tipaimukh
project that would adversely impact Bangladesh . He 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, said the Joint Statement issued by the two governments on Tuesday. |
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