HVK Archives: Bangladesh will not tolerate anti-India militancy
Bangladesh will not tolerate anti-India militancy - The Times Of India
Abdus Samad Azad
()
April 24, 1998
Title: Bangladesh will not tolerate anti-India militancy
Author: Abdus Samad Azad
Publication: The Times Of India
Date: April 24, 1998
Bangladesh foreign minister Abdus Samad Azad, the no. 2 in the
Sheikh Hasina government was in New Delhi this week to "get
acquainted" with the new BJP-led coalition in India. The Awami
League founded by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and now led by his
daughter, has always had excellent relations with successive
Indian governments. Mr Azad came here with a message of goodwill
>from his prime minister. He took the opportunity of meeting not
just Atal Behari Vajpayee and home minister L K Advani and Murli
Manohar Joshi, but a cross- section of other leaders including
Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and Ghulam as Nabi Azad from the
Congress as well as former prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral
Whatever misgiving Bangladesh may have had seems to have
disappeared after Mr Azad was quietly reassured by the top BJP
leadership that India's policy towards Dhaka will not change.
Goodwill and co-operation will continue, Seema Guha spoke to
Abdus Samad Azad. Excerpts from the interview..
Q: What message did you carry from Prime minister Sheikh Hasina
to the Indian Prime Minister?
A: It was a message of goodwill and friendship I delivered to
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. My leader recalled the help
India gave to Bangladesh during the Liberation War and said there
was a consensus among all Indian political parties to come to our
aid. She said Bangladesh still needed India's help for its
economic development. Sheikh Hasina hoped that the new leadership
would continue India's constructive co-operation with Dhaka.
She has also invited Mr Vajpayee to visit Bangladesh. He has
accepted but no details are yet to be worked out.
Did you get an assurance that India's policy towards Bangladesh
wig remain unchanged?
Yes, we were told by Mr Vajpayee that India will continue its
policy of friendship and co-operation with us. He said his
government valued New Delhi's close ties with Bangladesh and
reassured us of his desire to further strengthen relations
between the two countries. On our side we told both the Prime
Minister and Mr Advani that Dhaka continued to expect India as a
much bigger country to be more flexible and take the initiative
in solving any problems that may arise between us.
What are the problems you have with India?
None at all. All we want is greater economic co-operation and
investment by Indian businessmen in Bangladesh. This, while
helping employment in Bangladesh, will also reduce transport
costs for goods to your north-eastern region. We just want to
continue our excellent rapport with New Delhi.
Were there any discussions on the Ganga waters agreement?
Yes, the Prime Minister has categorically said his government
will stand by the agreement signed between India and Bangladesh
on the sharing of Ganges waters.
Did the question of illegal influx from Bangladesh to India's
eastern states come up? While in opposition, the BJP had often
spoken out for strong measures to stop illegal immigration into
India.
Yes, the question did come up. We assured New Delhi that we were
willing to extend all help needed from our side to solve the
problem. We have never fought shy of admitting the problem. But
first we need to know the current scale of the problem, whether
it is still happening, and take joint measures if needed to solve
it.
The Bangladesh government itself has never encouraged people to
cross over. In the last few years there have been no reports of
large scale influx. The administrative mechanism is already in
place to detect cross-border entries. If these need to be
strengthened we are willing to do so.
Did Mr Advani talk of militant groups from the Northeast having
camps in Bangladesh? Also there are reports that India has asked
for the deportation of Anup Chetia, a leader of the United
Liberation front of Asom wanted for several murders in the
Northeast. Have you agreed?
We have assured India that Bangladesh will not allow any militant
group from the Northeast or any other part of your country to use
our soil to destabilise India. Separatists and militants will not
be tolerated. In the last one year we have handed over ULFA
cadres to India authorities, A stable India is essential for
Bangladesh as well.
Anup Chetia's case was discussed. But as our courts have already
started proceedings against him and two others for entering our
country with fake passports, we cannot deport him immediately.
The trial in Bangladesh court should be complete. This is our
only problem. As soon as we can, we shall hand over Chetia to the
Indian authorities.
Did the question of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)
and the anti-Indian resolution passed in these meetings come up?
Was there any request from India that Dhaka should oppose such
resolutions?
No, the issue was not raised at all. Anyway these resolutions
have been ignored by India for soma years now.
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