Dhaka, Delhi agree on early implementation of land boundary protocol
Dhaka, May 8 (UNB) - Bangladesh and India have agreed on the need for early implementation of the Protocol to the Land Boundary Agreement, including the early signing of the strip maps pertaining to adverse possessions and recently demarcated segments.
The agreement was reached at the first meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) formed under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka in September last year.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni led the Bangladesh delegation to the JCC meeting held in New Delhi on Monday while the Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
According to a joint press statement issued in New Delhi on Monday, both sides reiterated their commitment to the early finalisation of agreements for water-sharing of Teesta and Feni rivers.
The Indian side reiterated its commitment that it would not take any unilateral decision on the Himalayan component of the proposed River Interlinking Project which may affect Bangladesh.
On the signing of the Extradition Treaty, the two Ministers agreed that both sides would expedite efforts to conclude the treaty at the earliest.
They reiterated their commitment that the territory of either side would not be allowed for activities inimical to the other and also resolved not to allow their respective territory to be used for training, sanctuary and other operations by domestic or foreign terrorist/militant and insurgent organisations and their operatives.
About trade and connectivity, the Ministers pledged to continue their efforts to promote balanced and broad-based trade, including border trade.
Both sides agreed that the decision by India in 2011 to grant zero duty access to all goods (except 25 items on the Negative List) had opened new opportunities for expansion of Bangladesh exports to India.
They welcomed the outcome of the recent meeting of the Commerce Secretaries and the renewal of the Trade Agreement by three years. They agreed that both sides should similarly extend the validity of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade.
Both sides called for vigorous efforts to upgrade border infrastructure, including Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts, and removal of non-tariff barriers on both sides.
The Ministers welcomed the inauguration of a second border haat (bazaar) on the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border and the establishment of four border haats on the Bangladesh-Tripura border.
They noted that both sides had succeeded in arriving at an understanding on the Mutual Cooperation Agreement between Bureau of Indian Standards and the Bangladesh Standards Institute and stressed that it should be concluded at an early date.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction the inauguration in the presence of the Finance Ministers of the two countries of a Car Pass System at Petrapole-Benapole in January 2012, for movement of cargo vehicles to the Land Custom Station of each other's countries.
They welcomed the agreement to commence a bus service on the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati sector. It was agreed to expeditiously conclude the Motor Vehicles Agreement for regulation of passenger and cargo traffic.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to the early finalisation of the MoU for construction of the Akhaura-Agartala railway link, to be built with grant-in-aid assistance from India. They directed that infrastructure development works and land acquisition activities be taken up urgently.
The two sides agreed that necessary formalities for use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports for movement of goods to and from India through water, rail and road would be completed urgently.
The Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of projects under the US$1 billion Indian Line of Credit. They noted that projects amounting to US $ 810.46.million had been agreed upon and were under implementation.
They directed the concerned Ministries to expedite procedures and finalise the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new projects so that the benefits could reach the people.
Bangladesh welcomed the announcement made by India during the visit of the Finance Minister to Bangladesh on May 5-6 to convert an amount of US$ 200 million from credit to grants-in-aid for projects of priority to Bangladesh.
The two sides agreed to expedite the implementation of development projects including feasibility study for upgradation of Dhaka-Chittagong railway line, setting up of IT labs in 64 model schools, and IT centres at Military Institute for Science & Technology, Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and Bangladesh Police Academy, and provision of solar lamps to 2800 families affected by the Sidr Cyclone.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction that preparatory activities for the construction of a bridge across Feni River were underway and directed its implementation as early as possible.
They agreed to develop the inland container terminal at Ashuganj with Indian assistance and to commence transhipments at Ashuganj port.
Both sides agreed to constitute a sub-group under the Joint River Commission (JRC) that would go into all aspects of the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project.
The Ministers welcomed the Power Purchase Agreement signed between BPDB and NVVN for purchase of 250MW power from India by Bangladesh as well as the decision of the Bangladesh government to shortly invite tenders for the purchase of an additional 250MW power from India.
Both sides agreed to complete the pending administrative formalities for commissioning the inter-grid connectivity by July 2013.
They also welcomed the establishment of a Joint Venture between NTPC and BPDB to set up a 1320MW thermal power plant in Bagerhat and directed them to complete its installation expeditiously.
They also directed the Joint Venture to speed up the conclusion of a feasibility report for a similar power plant in Chittagong.
Both sides welcomed the constitution of a Technical Team to conduct feasibility study for transmission of power from India to the Eastern part of Bangladesh and options for interconnection for evacuation of power.
Both sides called for an early implementation of the MoU on Cooperation in Renewable Energy and the MoU on the Conservation of the Sunderbans along with the signing of a Protocol on Conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers of the Sunderbans.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Joint Empowered Group on Maitree Express would meet on 9 May, 2012 to improve passenger comfort and reduce travel time.
Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date to be decided through diplomatic channels.
The agreement was reached at the first meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) formed under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka in September last year.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni led the Bangladesh delegation to the JCC meeting held in New Delhi on Monday while the Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
According to a joint press statement issued in New Delhi on Monday, both sides reiterated their commitment to the early finalisation of agreements for water-sharing of Teesta and Feni rivers.
The Indian side reiterated its commitment that it would not take any unilateral decision on the Himalayan component of the proposed River Interlinking Project which may affect Bangladesh.
On the signing of the Extradition Treaty, the two Ministers agreed that both sides would expedite efforts to conclude the treaty at the earliest.
They reiterated their commitment that the territory of either side would not be allowed for activities inimical to the other and also resolved not to allow their respective territory to be used for training, sanctuary and other operations by domestic or foreign terrorist/militant and insurgent organisations and their operatives.
About trade and connectivity, the Ministers pledged to continue their efforts to promote balanced and broad-based trade, including border trade.
Both sides agreed that the decision by India in 2011 to grant zero duty access to all goods (except 25 items on the Negative List) had opened new opportunities for expansion of Bangladesh exports to India.
They welcomed the outcome of the recent meeting of the Commerce Secretaries and the renewal of the Trade Agreement by three years. They agreed that both sides should similarly extend the validity of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade.
Both sides called for vigorous efforts to upgrade border infrastructure, including Land Customs Stations and Integrated Check Posts, and removal of non-tariff barriers on both sides.
The Ministers welcomed the inauguration of a second border haat (bazaar) on the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border and the establishment of four border haats on the Bangladesh-Tripura border.
They noted that both sides had succeeded in arriving at an understanding on the Mutual Cooperation Agreement between Bureau of Indian Standards and the Bangladesh Standards Institute and stressed that it should be concluded at an early date.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction the inauguration in the presence of the Finance Ministers of the two countries of a Car Pass System at Petrapole-Benapole in January 2012, for movement of cargo vehicles to the Land Custom Station of each other's countries.
They welcomed the agreement to commence a bus service on the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati sector. It was agreed to expeditiously conclude the Motor Vehicles Agreement for regulation of passenger and cargo traffic.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to the early finalisation of the MoU for construction of the Akhaura-Agartala railway link, to be built with grant-in-aid assistance from India. They directed that infrastructure development works and land acquisition activities be taken up urgently.
The two sides agreed that necessary formalities for use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports for movement of goods to and from India through water, rail and road would be completed urgently.
The Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of projects under the US$1 billion Indian Line of Credit. They noted that projects amounting to US $ 810.46.million had been agreed upon and were under implementation.
They directed the concerned Ministries to expedite procedures and finalise the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new projects so that the benefits could reach the people.
Bangladesh welcomed the announcement made by India during the visit of the Finance Minister to Bangladesh on May 5-6 to convert an amount of US$ 200 million from credit to grants-in-aid for projects of priority to Bangladesh.
The two sides agreed to expedite the implementation of development projects including feasibility study for upgradation of Dhaka-Chittagong railway line, setting up of IT labs in 64 model schools, and IT centres at Military Institute for Science & Technology, Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre and Bangladesh Police Academy, and provision of solar lamps to 2800 families affected by the Sidr Cyclone.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction that preparatory activities for the construction of a bridge across Feni River were underway and directed its implementation as early as possible.
They agreed to develop the inland container terminal at Ashuganj with Indian assistance and to commence transhipments at Ashuganj port.
Both sides agreed to constitute a sub-group under the Joint River Commission (JRC) that would go into all aspects of the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project.
The Ministers welcomed the Power Purchase Agreement signed between BPDB and NVVN for purchase of 250MW power from India by Bangladesh as well as the decision of the Bangladesh government to shortly invite tenders for the purchase of an additional 250MW power from India.
Both sides agreed to complete the pending administrative formalities for commissioning the inter-grid connectivity by July 2013.
They also welcomed the establishment of a Joint Venture between NTPC and BPDB to set up a 1320MW thermal power plant in Bagerhat and directed them to complete its installation expeditiously.
They also directed the Joint Venture to speed up the conclusion of a feasibility report for a similar power plant in Chittagong.
Both sides welcomed the constitution of a Technical Team to conduct feasibility study for transmission of power from India to the Eastern part of Bangladesh and options for interconnection for evacuation of power.
Both sides called for an early implementation of the MoU on Cooperation in Renewable Energy and the MoU on the Conservation of the Sunderbans along with the signing of a Protocol on Conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers of the Sunderbans.
The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Joint Empowered Group on Maitree Express would meet on 9 May, 2012 to improve passenger comfort and reduce travel time.
Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date to be decided through diplomatic channels.
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