THAT the Indian Foreign Minister's visit to Dhaka is more of turning a corner than a turning point in the current stage of our bilateral relations is perhaps the only accurate characterisation that one can make of the trip. We welcome the good opening that Natwar Singh's talks in Bangladesh have made. This has brought the importance of bilateral relations and the salience of continuous dialogue in resolving contentious issues, to the fore.

It would be unfair to hope a single round of talks would produce miracles. But what one can certainly hope is that the visit has engendered such an environment as would allow future dialogues to produce tangible results. That is why the recent round of talks is to be welcomed, all the more because we feel that it has indeed created a congenial atmosphere by bringing down the level of tension and given a fresh start towards harmonious neighbourly coexistence.

Not surprisingly, a catalogue of issues was laid on the table. But there were no new issues from either side, and much as one would like to have seen more concrete outcome, yet we are far from disappointed at what little has been achieved.

It is quite natural that when a vast array of issues are taken up for discussion there would be a dilution of focus. The catalogue of issues that are vexing in nature is indeed long and it is only appropriate that the entire range of priority concerns is handled with patience and care, but in an unfailingly positive frame of mind. Unless that is done it will not be possible for the parties to get a fix on each other's perception of the concerns, only after which, one hopes, would solutions to those seemingly intractable problems emerge.

We are happy to note that there are several high-level bilateral visits on the cards, which should address the issues more comprehensively and help in forging the right kind of political will for resolution of some of the outstanding problems leading to a better understanding and cementing of ties between the two next-door neighbouring countries.

We have lost a deal of time in realising the tremendous potential both the countries have to move forward towards building up a mutually productive and beneficial relationship. We hold Dr Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Natwar Singh in great esteem and hope they would make an inspirational leap in their leadership to usher in a new era in Indo-Bangla ties.