This visit of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia should have taken place years ago, in the beginning of her term of Office. On more than one occasion I have written about the need for the political leadership of both Bangladesh and India sitting down and exchanging views. I have stressed on the need for political will to resolve differences. There is no other way. Unfortunately, this approach has come late.

Politically, both Bangladesh and India desire a stable South Asia. They both believe in certain fundamental factors poverty reduction, gender empowerment, expanded areas of bilateral cooperation -- particularly in trade, commerce and foreign direct investment. Both these countries have democratically elected governments who have re-affirmed more than once their opposition to terrorism. They have shared bonds of friendship that eventually led to the emergence of an independent Bangladesh. India also wants a 'strong, stable and prosperous' Bangladesh so that turmoil from her small neighbour does not spill over into her northeastern flank.

There has unfortunately been also the other factor -- mutual suspicion. On one hand, India has continued to allege that numerous people of Bangladeshi origin have entered India illegally and that Bangladesh has given sanctuary to militants operating in India out of Bangladeshi territory. On the other hand, there are many in Bangladesh who point fingers to the fact that India till today, has not only not resolved the issue of full implementation of the 1974 Indira-Mujib Agreement, but has embarked on unilateral withdrawal of water from several rivers flowing into Bangladesh, causing harm to the environment and sustainable development in agriculture and fisheries. The trading community and economists within Bangladesh have also pointed fingers at the burgeoning trade imbalance in favour of India.

Consequently, Bangladeshi took special interest in this visit of Khaleda Zia to New Delhi. The popular wish list was long. Some thought that such a visit would automatically open all the doors and resolve existing problems. There was also a great deal of optimism given the fact that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had just visited Bangladesh a few months ago as leader of the Indian delegation to the SAARC Summit held in Dhaka last year.

However, there is bound to be frustration when expectations are built up and results do not seem to tally. I hold the government responsible for this. It would probably have been wiser for our Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have suggested before the visit that this was more of a courtesy visit and a formal undertaking as Chairperson of the SAARC process. It could have also been underlined that the Bangladesh Prime Minister would be raising certain outstanding issues. It might have also been stressed that there was very little possibility of any major breakthrough.

It is always better to call a spade a spade.

Both India and Bangladesh have strategic concerns. They unfortunately also have an extremist domestic clientele fringe forever eager to find faults. Consequently, each step requires careful consideration.

For all intents and purposes this was a goodwill visit. In terms of protocol, all the factors were present. Respect was shown to Begum Khaleda Zia not only because she is the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, but also because she is the current Chairperson of SAARC. Some have written about the fact that she stayed in the same hotel suite that was used for the US President earlier. This was obviously done not to equate her with Bush but more from the practical standpoint of ensuring security. Nevertheless, it was killing two birds with one stone.

Reports have indicated that the Indian leadership on more than one occasion, has re-affirmed the need for greater communication connectivity. They have also suggested that 'physical connectivity will bring connectivity of the mind.' The connectivity that is however being sought is controlled connectivity -- not the freedom to move across borders and pursue economic ends as happens within the European Union. It is this which is not easily understood by farmers in some bordering villages of Bangladesh who have lost their livelihood due to lack of sufficient water for irrigation and have watched Indian goods flood the domestic market of Bangladesh. I have attended some seminars in Kushtia and have heard young educationists argue that freedom of movement of goods is as important as the freedom of movement of people in search of work.

Such discussions in Dhaka have also suggested that Indian entrepreneurs should be asked to invest on a greater scale in the consumer industry in Bangladesh, so that employment can be created and also goods manufactured for eventual export to the Indian market. In this context, they have proposed that such industry could be set up near the border in Sylhet, the northwest and the southwest of Bangladesh. They have argued that if such manufacturing is undertaken by Indian industry, then the Indians will not have to limit entry of Bangladeshi goods on the plea of existing tariff and non-tariff barriers. Such an approach is probably simplistic, but then, it could be examined more carefully, with particular emphasis on joint investment and joint participation. Mizoram has already expressed keen interest to import all manufactured products from Bangladesh given their quality and price advantage.

After all, employment generates stakeholders and creates stability.

Our Foreign Minister has suggested that there will now be movement forward with regard to sharing of water resources. One hopes that the next visit of the Indian Water Resources Minister will not be limited to mere protocol. An interim agreement has to be found with regard to the Teesta. Similarly, the concerns with regard to the Tipaimukh Dam will also have to be addressed more effectively and transparently. Water experts in Bangladesh are not completely convinced that such a project will not affect water-flow. It is important that on urgent basis, technical experts from both countries should sit together to discuss this issue.

It is understood that the Commerce Ministers of both countries will be discussing as soon as possible not only implementation of SAFTA but also possibility of FTA. They are also expected to move forward with regard to measures for removing the trade imbalance through greater adjustment of para-tariff and non-tariff barriers. This is indeed a pious wish list.

We have only six months left of this current Administration. We will then be moving into uncharted waters during a controversial Caretaker Administration, which will have no authority to undertake policy decisions. Given this paradigm it is difficult to understand how appropriate steps can be agreed to within this short span of time. I am sure the Indian government understands this dilemma and will not be overly enthusiastic in its endeavours. Consequently, they have been polite and current efforts have been described as being positive. I suspect that they will wait and see what emerges from the next general elections in this country. They will then pursue future steps. That is understandable.

No analysis would however be complete without reference to the comments made by the controversial Indian Leader of the Opposition Mr LK Advani. He has reflected the entrenched opinion in heartland of India and also the views expressed on more than one occasion by the BJP leadership and some members of the Indian bureaucracy. It is good that he has done so. It is to be equally welcomed that our Prime Minister has invited him to visit Bangladesh and to see for himself the so-called training areas of militants. Let Mr. Advani come with his intelligence resource personnel and also representatives from Indian civil society. Let there be transparency whereby the Bangladesh side can also incorporate representatives from their civil society. Let joint teams go and investigate the so-called terrorist camps. Let land-sat imagery be used for this purpose. If nothing is found, then, Mr. Advani should be asked to apologise to the people of Bangladesh. Such a step can only enhance the security of both sides.

In the meantime, Indian authorities should use their massive intelligence resources to identify from which points across the border drugs, explosives and arms are entering into Bangladesh. There must be a crackdown and soon if terrorist activities are to be tackled efficiently.

One thing is clear after the visit of our Prime Minister. She has at least been able to raise certain outstanding issues. India has also acknowledged that differences exist. The next constructive step on the part of our Prime Minister should be to give an open-ended interview to an Indian Television channel where she could express her aspirations and views to the Indian population. This she could do not only as Chairperson of SAARC but also as a believer in positive engagement with India. She does not give television interviews, but then, what better than now. This will also help to clarify her vision in resolving outstanding issues within Bangladesh.

Muhammad Zamir is a former Secretary and Ambassador who can be reached at [email protected]