Morshed, Natwar talk a new start
Discuss insurgency, river-link
Pallab Bhattacharya, New Delhi
In the first high-level contact after the Congress took office, India and Bangladesh yesterday discussed insurgency, interlinking of rivers and other issues in a spirit of "mutual understanding" and agreed not to let bilateral ties be a prisoner of the past."You can't forget the past. But you must not go on reinventing the past to make the future prisoner of the past ... we have to go ahead. We are living in the 21st century," External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said at a joint press meet with his Bangladesh counterpart Morshed Khan. After an hour-long meeting with Morshed who has brought greetings from Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for the new Indian leadership, Singh said, "We will make a comprehensive assessment of nitty-gritty of linking rivers. We are awaiting their response." "Every aspect of our relations figured in the discussions held in a spirit of cordiality, warmth and mutual understanding," Singh said adding: "We have decided to call each other by our first names." Removal of non-tariff barriers, transit questions, issuance of visa which is now five lakh annually, insurgency, arms seizure in Chittagong and interlinking of rivers came up during the parleys, he said. "Whatever differences there are -- whether it relates to terrorists, whether on interlinking of rivers or on separatist activities going on in Bangladesh and here... both agreed that if any mishap occurs, we will immediately get on telephone and talk to each other," Singh said. He made it clear that political rhetoric and differences would not be allowed to impact bilateral ties. "Questions are bound to be raised in parliament," he said. "These will be answered fully bearing in mind the importance of not adversely impacting bilateral relations without in any way sacrificing our mutual vital national interests." Morshed described India as an "old and tested friend" of the region and said the two countries have decided that bilateral ties would not "fall victim to political intricacies" and not pursued in the "normal, old fashioned diplomatic manner of note verbal and writing long letters. We will catch the bull by the horns as it comes". "We will not shy away from any issue and have decided not to keep any issue under the carpet," he said. Morshed cautioned against expecting quick results. "One may not get the results overnight. "Without excluding the media, we have agreed to play the game in total harmony."
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