Indo-Bangla ties need fresh momentum
Says The Times of India
Despite the general optimism surrounding current India-Bangladesh relations, the momentum in bilateral ties between the two neighbours appears to be slowing down, said The Times of India yesterday.
"Last week's two-day home secretary-level talks in Dhaka once again saw both sides kick the can down the road on vital issues. With general elections in Bangladesh only a year away, the Awami League-led government in Dhaka is getting jittery," it said.
Notwithstanding New Delhi's political compulsions, there is an urgent need to infuse the India-Bangladesh relationship with fresh energy and work towards concrete results.
There is no denying that New Delhi's task of furthering ties with Dhaka has been made more difficult following West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pullout from the UPA dispensation.
"Take, for example, the Teesta water-sharing issue. Mamata has scuttled the Teesta deal once. Given the political games she likes to play, she may now try to spike the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)," it said.
Two areas where gains can be made are border killings and human rights.
While India has pledged punitive action against BSF personnel found guilty of killing innocent Bangladeshis trespassing into Indian territory, much more needs to be done to stop this menace.
Meanwhile, in gross violation of human rights, several Indian and Bangladeshi citizens continue to languish under trial in each other's jails for years without any proper legal representation.
Instituting a proper legal mechanism to assist those under trial in each other's country would earn both New Delhi and Dhaka a significant amount of goodwill.
"With Bangladeshi leader of opposition Khaleda Zia expected to visit India later this month, this is a good opportunity to reinvigorate ties with our eastern neighbour," it said.
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