NEW DELHI. Aug 7: Indian Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda today said that his government was keen to settle outstanding issues with Bangladesh in the shortest possible time, reports BSS.
Deve Gowda said this when Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Farooq Sobhan called on him to hand over a letter from Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here today.
Focussing on the sharing of the Ganges water. Deve Gowda hoped that the forthcoming foreign secretary-level meeting could create the groundwork for foreign ministers and water resources ministers level meeting. If required, there could be a meeting of heads of government to settle the issue permanently. The venue of the meeting could be either New Delhi or Dhaka, a member of the Bangladesh delegation told BSS.
According to official sources here, the Bangladesh Prime Minister in her letter to her Indian counterpart has expressed her firm belief that given the vast fund of goodwill
on both sides, our two governments will be able to work together in addressing all bilateral issues in a serious and constructive manner in the spirit of cooperation and understanding. '
She has also mentioned in her letter that in the common effort to put bilateral relations on a firm footing, Bangladesh was heartened to note the Indian government's willingness to try and reach a permanent sharing agreement on the Ganges water in the shortest possible time.
Foreign Secretary Farooq Sobhan. while raising trade and economic relations with India referred to the huge trade imbalance against Bangladesh. In this context he said. "Although Indian exports to Bangladesh have grown by 30 to 40 per cent, and Bangladesh is one of its largest markets. Bangladesh's exports to India were still insignificant." the sources added.
Sobhan has expressed the hope during the meeting with the Indian Prime Minister that India would give zero tariff ac-
cess to a selective list of Bangladeshi exportables. The response of the Indian Prime Minister was positive and he also agreed to a visit of a Bangladesh trade delegation to Guwahati and Shillong to explore markets for their goods there.
Farooq Sobhan also called on Indian External Affairs Minister IK Gujral and handed over a letter from Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad. Azad in his letter, while conveying his greetings to Gujral expressed his earnest nope that the deliberations at the foreign secretary-level meeting in New Delhi would be able to meaningfully move forward the process of dialogue. which the governments of the two countries have set in motion, reflecting the keen desire to settle all outstanding issues.
Azad has also expressed his confidence that the problem of the sharing of the Ganges wa ter would receive priority attention. the sources mentioned.Meanwhile, the foreign secretary-level meeting which began at the Hydrabad House here today opened discussions on the entire gamut of relations between the two countries. particularly focussing on a resolution of the Ganges water issue and trade.
Bangladesh side at the talks presented the Indian side with a list of 326 priority items for tariff concessions and withdrawal of quantitative restrictions.
Farooq Sobhan who had a very busy day also called on Indian Water Resources Minister Jnaneshwar Mishra with whom he had fruitful talks on sharing of the Ganges water.
The Bangladesh side, among others, included Bangladesh High Commissioner to India CM Shafi Sami. Additional Foreign Secretary Ahmed Tareq Karim, two deputy high commissioners and officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Joint Rivers Commission of Bangladesh while Indian side is led by Indian Foreign Secretary Salman Haider.