Bureaucratic tangle barrier to Indo-Bangla ties: Experts
Man-made obstacles and bureaucratic hassles are the major hurdles in fostering relations between India and Bangladesh leading to distrust, underdevelopment and non-execution of a range of bilateral issues, international experts told a seminar here yesterday.
The speakers including former diplomat Veena Sikri, international transport policy expert M Rahmatullah, Dhaka University teacher Prof Meshbah Kamal and Prof Indraneel Bhowmik of Tripura University asserted that vested interests -- active in both the countries -- were seriously affecting legal and normal economic activities.
The two-day seminar titled "Northeast India in Transition: Tripura - the Commerce and Connectivity Corridor between India and Bangladesh" was organised by Kolkata-based Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, an institution under the central government's Ministry of Culture.
"Teesta river water-sharing, Manipur's Tipaimukh hydroelectric project, transit and connectivity issues can be expected to be resolved in the near future, if the national leaders of both the countries, with the support of stakeholders, continue talks at all possible levels," the former Indian envoy stated.
Prof Kamal suggested that the two countries jointly celebrate poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's birth centenary, involving common people and renowned artists.
Transport policy expert Rahmatullah observed that unless connectivity was reinforced, the relationship could not be improved.
"A joint transport company can be formed to carry men, material and goods to make easier the whole system," said Rahmatullah, former director of the Bangkok-based United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap).
Renowned economist and former parliamentarian Nitish Sengupta suggested setting up more financial institutions, diplomatic and administrative offices by India and Bangladesh in each other's countries.
Prof Bhowmik said more livelihood schemes were necessary for the poor people of this region comprising India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.
Senior journalist Jayanta Bhattacharya said increased cultural ties and joint performance would bring the people of the region closer.
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