Dipu Moni terms Indian PM's visit big success
Says she would resign if people want
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni. Star file photo
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has hit back at the opposition for their wholesale criticism of the outcome of the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Dhaka. In an interview with the news agency here on Monday, she termed historic the signing of the protocol under the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974. The foreign minister said the opposition has failed to welcome many astounding successes of the visit due to their shabby mentality. The protocol, she said, has put an end to the long-running issue of the demarcation of 6.5km boundary, transfer of enclaves and adversely possessed lands, and free movement of the Bangladesh nationals of Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves through Tin Bigha Corridor. "This is a massive and historic event", said Dipu Moni who is now in Hamburg, Germany to present Bangladesh's maritime boundary case against Myanmar at the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS). The foreign minister said Dhaka and New Delhi have signed a number of MoUs and protocols regarding the expansion of trade and commerce, duty-free access of 46 Bangladesh garment items to Indian market, railway link between Rohanpur and Singabad to connect Nepal. Besides, she said, the two prime ministers have signed a framework agreement for cooperation in different fields, not only between Bangladesh and India, but also among all the countries in the entire region to advance all development activities in the future. The foreign minister said the framework agreement also envisages the joint river basin management, which is an important stride forward. The agreement does not envisage any military cooperation between the two countries, she said. Dipu Moni, however, admitted the fact that it would have been encouraging if the agreement on sharing of the Teesta River could have been signed. "If we look at the full canvas, it must be seen that the visit was a big success", she said, adding that whatever positive developments took place should be welcomed. Responding to the opposition's criticism for failing to realise the Teesta pact, she said those who are in the opposition today had been in power in the past when they made 'spectacular failures'. The foreign minister said both the deals on Teesta and transit would be signed for the benefit of the two countries and the region. "It can't happen by one stroke. It is an incremental process. There's no point to be disappointed''. Asked about some opposition leaders' demand for her resignation, Dipu Moni said ministership is not important for her. She said she is an elected Member of Parliament with people's votes and was inducted into the cabinet by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “If people feel I should resign, I won't hold the post for a single moment,'' she said, adding that those who are seeking her resignation must be envious of the success of the Foreign Ministry. About the Teesta deal, Dipu Moni said the two countries had reached a consensus on signing an interim agreement on the Teesta water, but it was not done at the last moment due to an internal political reality of India. "We wanted to sign the agreement, but it didn't happen. It doesn't mean that it will never be signed. It must be signed shortly'', she said. Asked why India did not inform Bangladesh through diplomatic channel that the agreement will not be signed, the foreign minister said the Indian side had assured them until the night before Manmohan's visit that the deal would be signed. "Since we had no formal communications (from New Delhi) till the last night, we were hopeful of the agreement. Why they failed to communicate us is their internal matter. They (India) tried till the last moment''. Asked if there is any correspondence between non-signing of the Teesta deal and the non-signing of the Letter of Exchange on transit, Dipu Moni said a political government always looks after the interests of the country while dealing with another country. "It's the responsibility of each government to meet the aspirations of the people''. Asked if the agreed draft agreement on the Teesta will be revised in the future following change of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's stand, the foreign minister said, "I don't foresee any such possibility. We didn't receive any alternative proposal from India".
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