Stronger regional diplomatic ties to unleash immense potential

Diplomats and academics from Bangladesh, India and Myanmar yesterday called for stronger ties to unleash the immense potentials in economic, energy, border and maritime cooperation.

Good Bangladesh-India relations, maritime dispute settlement and Myanmar opening up following decades of military regimes have created unprecedented development opportunities, they told a two-day international symposium, "Bangladesh's Engagement with India and Myanmar".

Dhaka University (DU) and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (Makaias), in association with Research and Development Collective (RDC) and India-Bangladesh Foundation, organised it at DU's Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban.

"No country can prosper in isolation. Countries of the region which face common developmental challenges must work together to fight common enemies of inequality, deprivation and poverty," said Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali.

He said Bangladesh was keen on economic integration, particularly with India and Myanmar, to bring about unprecedented prosperity for all three.

Terming Myanmar a gateway connecting South Asia with Southeast and East Asia, Mahmood said it was imperative for Bangladesh and Myanmar to continue having a peaceful and congenial relationship to enhance regional trade and investment cooperation.

He noted that Bangladesh has advantages in industries like pharmaceuticals, leather, ceramics, jute, agriculture and readymade garments, which can be exported to Myanmar.

Correspondingly, Bangladesh can gain from Myanmar's abundance of agricultural, natural and mineral resources, he said, stating of Bangladesh's willingness to import gas for power generation.

Mahmood noted that the two countries were considering a preferential trade agreement.

Prof Muntassir Mamoon, president of Bangladesh History Congress, said over the past six years Bangladesh has successfully addressed India's concerns of insurgency in the northeast states and provided transit facilities.

However, India is yet to equally respond to issues sensitive to Bangladeshis like water sharing, land boundary agreement ratification and border killings. However, bilateral relations now are better than anytime before, he said.

Meanwhile, the maritime dispute settlement with Myanmar has changed attitudes of the two neighbours but Rohingya intrusion, illegal drug and arms smuggling and human trafficking are burning issues that need to be addressed for stronger economic cooperation, he said.

Muntassir thinks initiatives from China and India can solve these problems and proposed Bangladesh, India and Myanmar create a "triangle growth zone" centring the Bay of Bengal.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran suggested identifying common interests to unite the three countries to go forward in building infrastructure and expanding trade and energy that can benefit all.

Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Myo Myint Than said the three countries should move in the journey of progress together with a positive attitude.

Former Indian foreign secretary Krishnan Srinivasan stressed political will and capacity to further regional cooperation.

DU Vice Chancellor Prof Arefin Siddique, Makaias Director Dr Sreeradha Datta, RDC Chairperson Prof Mesbah Kamal, Indian High Commissioner to Myanmar Gautam Mukhopaddhaya and Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sandeep Chakraborty also spoke.