Bangladesh and India will advance several crucial issues including Teesta water sharing, transit, trade concession, and power sector cooperation when the foreign ministers of the two countries meet today for an official talk in Dhaka.
The issues will be ready for agreement signing when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Dhaka on September 6-7.
A document is likely to be signed today to allow Bangladeshis in Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves to travel to the mainland through Tin Bigha Corridor round the clock instead of the current alternate hour trips during the day time only.
Both countries will work on the details of the issues for the next two months to ready documents to be signed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Singh during the latter's
first visit here.
The foreign ministry level meeting today will also fine tune documents on land boundary demarcation, security cooperation, education, and cultural exchange.
On arrival in the capital on a three-day visit yesterday, Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said, "I am looking forward to a productive and
focused interaction with the leadership here on bilateral relations between our two countries. India wants a broader cooperation framework, which will significantly improve the livelihood of the people of India and Bangladesh."
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni received her Indian counterpart at the airport in the afternoon.
Talking to The Daily Star, a high official of the Bangladesh foreign ministry said a draft document on water sharing of Teesta and Feni rivers has been prepared. However, the countries still differ on the proportion of Teesta water to be shared.
Both countries had been asking for 55 percent Teesta water during the lean period (October-May). Bangladesh finally asked for a 50 percent share, said an official of the Bangladesh water resources ministry.
Before sharing, 20 percent of the total quantity of the water in lean period will be left for the river, and the two countries will then share the remaining 80 percent.
But the issue will be finally resolved at the prime ministerial summit in September.
Beside Teesta, water sharing of Feni, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar rivers will also be discussed by the two foreign ministers.
About Feni river, the water resources ministry sources said India proposed withdrawal of a little amount of water from the river for its drinking water treatment project opposite Bangladesh's Feni and Ramgarh areas.
On TYansit, India sought 15 road and railway routes connecting Chittagong and Mongla seaports. Side by side, India wants transit through Ashuganj to Agartala and from Ramgarh (Khagracharri) to Sabroom (Tripura) by road, as well as through Akhaura to Agartala by rail.
Sources said at today's official meeting, the two sides will discuss the principles for determining admissible fees, modalities, routes, and other aspects of transit.
Bangladesh Tariff Commission in its report said Bangladesh should charge between US$4 and $50 for a tonne of goods in
transit fees depending on routes chosen by the user. The rate of charge may be equally applicable to India, Nepal and Bhutan.
After a meeting between Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith and Krishna yesterday, the Bangladesh finance minister said both countries agreed on transit for India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
But, Bangladesh also wants to allow transit and transshipment facilities to Myanmar, Thailand, and China with a view to turning the country as a regional economic hub, Muhith said.
The foreign ministry sources said Bangladesh agreed to allow Nepal and Bhutan to use Chittagong and Mongla seaports.
They said today's meeting will also discuss Bangladesh's demand for duty-free access of 61 items to India.
Earlier, Krishna told the media at the airport that India has always sought a deeper and stronger partnership with Bangladesh and believes that a prosperous, stable and democratic Bangladesh is in the interest of both countries and the entire region.
"We are at a historic juncture," he said adding that through a forwardlooking, progressive and pragmatic approach based on understanding and cooperation, the two countries "can achieve a mutually rewarding relationship that brings a brighter future, prosperity, and development to the people of both countries."
Krishna said India remains committed to a partnership in the development and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh. Both countries remain steadfast in their efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism.
"We are determined to continue to build upon the stronger bonds of cooperation and trust based on the strong foundations of shared history and culture," he said adding that India is impressed with the tremendous growth and development in Bangladesh.
Turning to development in Indo-Bangladesh relations in recent years, the Indian external affairs minister said both countries have made considerable progress in the implementation of the 2010 Joint Communique and projects under the US$1 billion line of credit.
Welcoming SM Krishna, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said she is looking forward to having fruitful and substantive discussions with him on the entire range of relations with India in the bilateral, regional, and sub-regional context.
She said Krishna's visit is significant also because it will give the two countries opportunity to prepare the ground for the expected visit of the prime minister of India to Bangladesh in September.
The visiting Indian minister is scheduled to call on President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and to visit Bangabandhu Museum today. He is also scheduled to meet Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia tomorrow.
Earlier, on his arrival yesterday the Indian Minister paid tribute to the martyrs of the War of Liberation by placing a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar. He also had interactions with editors and senior journalist in the evening.
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