Pankaj Saran, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, on Monday clarified Delhi’s position regarding a feasibility study to set up an inland container port in Narayanganj, saying that India will not infringe any inter-governmental behaviour norms and that it fully respects Bangladesh’s sovereignty. He also said that the Indian government would try to raise the Land Boundary Ratification Bill in Parliament’s next session. “Let me say at the outset that we are extremely sensitive to the concerns and apprehension that have been raised here on the Narayanganj project. We have no intention of violating any norms on inter-governmental behaviour and we fully respect the sovereignty of Bangladesh,” the Indian envoy told reporters after a meeting with foreign secretary Shahidul Haque on Monday afternoon.
“I clarified to the foreign secretary that this is a case of proposal for a foreign direct investment made by a Bangladesh company to an Indian company. The Indian company felt that it ought to do a feasibility study taking any investment decision,” he said.
“No investment or no decision regarding any such investment has therefore been taken. If the company concerned does take a decision, it will have to be fully in accordance with the national laws, policies and procedures of the Government of Bangladesh,” he added.
Speaking about the meeting, foreign secretary Shahidul Haque told a group of reporters at his office: “The high commissioner apprised me of the issue relating to the Narayanganj project. This is something related to foreign direct investment. This is still in very initial stages.”
On May 10, the Indian external affairs ministry posted an advertisement on its website, inviting tender for a feasibility study to set up an inland container port in Narayanganj. The development, which was widely covered in the Bangladesh media, created a stir in the country.
About the purpose of the day’s meeting with the foreign secretary, the Indian envoy said: “This is one of my regular periodic exchanges with the foreign secretary to review the relationship between Bangladesh and India. We reviewed some of the recent developments and some of the upcoming events. We have agreed to intensify our efforts to move forward in full range of issues and make more efforts to build a better relationship based on mutual interest, mutual respect and mutual benefit.”
Saran said that they had also discussed issues like the Teesta water sharing agreement, ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement, border situation, Line of Credit and different social, cultural and economic aspects.
Asked whether the ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement has become uncertain, he said: “We will continue to try to ratify the Land Boundary Agreement. That is the commitment we have made to the Government of Bangladesh. You are right that in the last Parliament session, the Bill could not be tabled.”
“But I have told the foreign secretary that the Indian government will try to introduce the Bill in the next session of the Indian Parliament. And, we are in touch with all opposition parties in India to develop a political consensus,” he added.
Saran said that the Confederation of Indian industry and the Board of Investment of Bangladesh would sign an agreement on road shows in India, by the Board of Investment, for encouraging Indian investment in Bangladesh.
On regional issues, he said: “I actually want to draw your attention to the fact that during the Chinese Prime Minister’s visit in India last month, both the Indian and Chinese governments have agreed to create a joint study group to convert and constitute a BCIM (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar) economic corridor.”
“Now we have agreed to consult with the other parties — Bangladesh and Myanmar. This is a very positive development. If you set up an economic corridor involving BCIM, I think it will open many possibilities,” he added.
The envoy also said that they had reviewed the progress of the establishment of the India-Bangladesh Foundation and that it is expected to be operational in a couple of months.
-With The Independent input
