Setting the tone and tenor of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's three-day state visit to India, Bangladesh yesterday said it expected India to lower tax barriers to its goods in Indian market contending it would be an important confidence building measure (CBM).
"Our expectation is that the visit will be landmark in terms of bilateral relations," Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayatuddin told reporters after meeting his Indian counterpart Shyam Saran yesterday to fine tune Khaleda Zia's visit. "We need to move forward," he added.
Asked what Bangladesh wanted from India, he said Dhaka was looking for creation of "conditions for free movement of goods" to this country. "Reduction of tax barrier will be an important CBM," he said.
The foreign secretary said his country wants investments from India and in this regard he referred to a move by the Tata group to set up an industrial unit in that country for which negotiations are underway.
Bangladesh will encourage such moves, he observed.
Asked about Dhaka's view on the proposed India-Myanmar gas pipeline through Bangladesh, Hemayatuddin said the matter would be discussed if it is raised at the meeting between Khaleda and Singh.
On the possibility of cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the field of energy considering that that country has large gas reserves, he cited his country's rapidly growing energy requirements because of fast paced economic growth.
"We have to decide how much we need. Then whoever offers a price, we will be ready to sell," he said, adding it was not any country-specific.
He said the Indo-Bangla relations went beyond economic ties and noted the two neighbours have throughout been living cordially despite some "minor" disputes.
With regard to reports of rising fundamentalism in the country, Hemayatuddin said Bangladesh would not allow extremist elements to survive and a campaign had already started against them.
India is likely to raise its concerns with regard to 'existence of North East insurgent camps in Bangladesh' and 'illegal migration from the country'.
The entire gamut of India-Bangladesh relations, including border issue, security-related matters, trade and sharing of water of common rivers, would be discussed when Khaleda holds talks with Indian Premier Manmohan Singh on March 21, said the Bangladesh foreign secretary.
Khaleda Zia will be accompanied by among others Foreign Minister Morshed Khan, Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Reaz Rahman, and a business delegation.
