India wants transit deal to be signed in July: report
India has asked Bangladesh to sign a five-year agreement later this month allowing it to transport goods for its north-eastern states through latter's territory.
By PTI |
DHAKA: India has asked Bangladesh to sign a five-year agreement later this month allowing it to transport goods for its north-eastern states through latter's territory, a report said here on Thursday.
"Sources in bureaucracy" said the Indian high communication in Dhaka in a recent communication made to the foreign ministry revived the long- pressed proposal, suggesting an agreement to be signed during the bilateral diplomatic parley scheduled for July 17-18 in New Delhi.
"This time India seeks transit facility under a draft agreement for the regulation of passenger and cargo vehicular traffic between the two countries, tactfully avoiding the word 'transit' because of its political sensitivity," the report said quoting a communication ministry official.
It said the foreign ministry was expected to convene an inter-ministerial meeting soon to finalise country's position on the "most sensitive issue" in India-Bangladesh relations that was "carefully avoided by the two previous governments" fearing political backlash in the country.
Foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India are set to hold their routine two-day meeting in New Delhi when representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, communication and commerce would also be included in the delegation from Dhaka.
"Actually, the issue of giving transit facility to India has not yet been decided taking into account the sensitivity involved with it ... we have to sit and consult with the government high-ups before taking a decision," communication secretary Mahbubur Rahman said.
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