However, there have been some positive signals to arrest this situation and tackle the outstanding issues through the announcement of meeting of the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries. Besides, the announcement by the Indian Prime Minister of stopping the erection of the barbed wire fencing along the 150 yards of no man's land.

In the backdrop of this situation I would like to express an opinion on FTA between India and Bangladesh. In fact unequal economic development between the two wings of the then Pakistan and deprivation of East Pakistanis gave birth to independent Bangladesh. The role of India in the independence struggle of Bangladesh was greatly appreciated and even now remembered. It was expected that following the independence of Bangladesh India would take some positive steps in the economic development of Bangladesh. But what we noticed that India instead of assisting independent Bangladesh in its industrialisation turned it into a hinterland of Indian products. Of course, in this process a group of our people also played a very vital role to make quick money. In reality, Bangladesh turned into a market of Indian products instead of the then Pakistani products. This was certainly not the expectation of Bangladeshis. But of late, there are also very positive move from India such as the investment proposal of TATA Group. I would not go into reasons for this but would simply state that both China and India are investing all over the world where there is good prospect of sources of energy.

The urge to express this opinion emanates from the article that appeared in The Daily Star on June 5 where the writer suggested that Bangladesh would benefit through the FTA with India as India is going to be generous towards Bangladesh and many other benefits would accrue through this FTA. Just to mention that Bangladesh need not expect generosity from India rather should expect a just and mutually beneficial agreement as is expected between two sovereign and independent states.

Let me put before the readers some facts to ponder and express their opinion on FTA between Bangladesh and India. We had read economic dictum that says "nurse the baby, protect the child and free the adult". In case of Bangladesh before it could develop its industries it is faced with globalisation vis-a-vis industrialised countries who have developed their industries in the last two centuries. The case of Bangladesh is just like a child who has to run even before it could walk properly. However, this is a reality.

India is one of the top ten industrialised country in the world and is competing with other industrialised countries both in quality and price. But unfortunately the Indian products that enter Bangladesh are not the same in quality as this writer has very personal experience of the same. But what is expected of an exporting country like India is to ensure quality control.

Besides India puts up one obstacles or the other to the entry of Bangladeshi products in India. Just take the case of export of Bangladeshi batteries which were even of a very small quantity compared to the huge Indian market. The same was the case of Bangladeshi Jamdani. And of late, even the most sought after Hilsa of Padma was subjected to entry ban in West Bengal.

I do not know as to how does one expect India to be generous when India even after 30 years of Mujib-Indira Accord has not ratified the same. But look at the plight of Bangladeshis in the enclaves of Dahagram and Augarpotha. Of late, because of power problem Bangladesh wanted to take power lines to the enclave to ensure round the clock electricity to the casualty retention centre of the hospital in the enclave but the same has been denied. Even the requests of Nepal and Bangladesh for the free movement of goods both ways remains to be attended to yet.

The writer of the article points out about the advantage of linking up of our communication and transport system of East and South East Asia through Tamabil and not wait for the completion of the Chittagong-Yangoon direct route. But here one has to weigh the pros and cons of its feasibility in its totality before taking the vital decision. The writer in support of his contention cites the examples of integration of Europe as well as of the growth of economics in both Europe and South America which has been due to integration of their transport and communication networks.

In this respect I would simply like to cite the example of establishment of SAARC and its rudimentary development even after a lapse of about two decades. To refresh the memories of the readers about the birth of SAARC in which doubts were cast by both India and Pakistan of ganging up of small states against the big ones. Again looking at the pace of development of SAARC countries in any matter does not give confidence to oneself that FTA between India and Bangladesh will bring enormous benefits to Bangladesh.

It is true if India does want the region to prosper surely it can take the initiative by forgetting the disparities in size, economy, population and the stage of industrial development in these countries. I do agree with the writer of the article about the advantageous geographical location of Bangladesh as it is a bridge between South and South East Asia. The development of Chittagong port is absolutely essential in modern days of goods movement at the fastest speed. Besides, Chittagong port has the potential to serve as a regional port for not only Bangladesh but also Nepal, Bhutan and land-locked North-East India. To take benefit of this would depend on India about the passage of unhindered goods movement in this area.

Keeping all these in mind both the countries should engage themselves at various levels of government and private sector for confidence building and minimising the existing irritants and removing mistrust, if any. We get surprised when we read that even the agreed meetings on various issues and at various levels are not taking place in most cases due to Indian reluctance. I am in full agreement with the writer that both sides should refrain from accusing each other and avoid any provocative statements by the politicians as these do not help either side. Let us examine the FTA in its totality with India and take appropriate decision for the benefits of both the countries.