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India turns to diplomacy after grain transport row with Bangladesh
By SAURABH SHUKLA
PUBLISHED: 22:13, 3 February 2013 | UPDATED: 22:13, 3 February 2013
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India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties have suffered a setback following the latter's refusal to allow Delhi to use its port for transshipment of 10,000 tons of foodgrain to its north-eastern states.
India's High Commissioner Pankaj Saran has met Bangladeshi foreign minister Dipu Moni seeking urgent permission for the Food Corporation of India to carry foodgrain to the north-eastern regions, particularly Tripura, through Ashuganj in Bangladesh.
The multi-modal transit is the shortest route for cargo through the river route from Kolkata to Agartala. Saran's request, however, met with little success.
India has been pressing Bangladesh to allow transit facilities through its territory
A frustrated Indian envoy sent an SOS to Delhi stating that the response of the Bangladesh foreign minister was "lukewarm".
He said when he reminded her of Bangladesh's commitment to allow transportation of foodgrain on humanitarian grounds, she stonewalled the issue citing a lack of infrastructure and saying India had to settle the issue of transit in totality before using Bangladeshi territory.
Interestingly, this refusal came even as Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde made an official visit to Bangladesh to discuss security matters.
Salman Khurshid will raise the issue of food transport during his imminent visit to Bangladesh
The issue will be flagged during the talks between the Indian external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and senior leaders in Bangladesh. The matter is likely to be discussed at top diplomatic levels.
"External affairs minister is going to Bangladesh and the matter will be flagged at the highest level. Bangladesh Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) had assured Tripura chief minister (Manik Sarkar) in January 2012 that the issue would be resolved and she will allow the transshipment of foodgrain through Ashuganj. However, despite our repeated requests, this hasn't happened," a source told Mail Today.
Even though the Awami League government is cooperating with India, especially on security issues, its commitment to the Tripura CM, given during Haseena's visit to the state in January 2012, is still pending.
Saran has spoken to Gowher Rizvi, international affairs advisor to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, on the issue. India has been pressing Bangladesh to allow transit and transshipment facilities through its territory to carry cargo to the seven sister states.
Bangladesh is refusing transportation of Indian goods through Ashuganj port, citing lack of necessary infrastructure.
India carried out three trial runs of transshipment facilities through Ashuganj in September, 2012. The facility was suspended in October as the Bangladeshi government decided not to allow it without the development of required infrastructure at the Ashuganj port.
Read more: India turns to diplomacy after grain transport row with Bangladesh | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
India turns to diplomacy after grain transport row with Bangladesh | Mail Online
By SAURABH SHUKLA
PUBLISHED: 22:13, 3 February 2013 | UPDATED: 22:13, 3 February 2013
Comments (0)
Share
India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties have suffered a setback following the latter's refusal to allow Delhi to use its port for transshipment of 10,000 tons of foodgrain to its north-eastern states.
India's High Commissioner Pankaj Saran has met Bangladeshi foreign minister Dipu Moni seeking urgent permission for the Food Corporation of India to carry foodgrain to the north-eastern regions, particularly Tripura, through Ashuganj in Bangladesh.
The multi-modal transit is the shortest route for cargo through the river route from Kolkata to Agartala. Saran's request, however, met with little success.
India has been pressing Bangladesh to allow transit facilities through its territory
A frustrated Indian envoy sent an SOS to Delhi stating that the response of the Bangladesh foreign minister was "lukewarm".
He said when he reminded her of Bangladesh's commitment to allow transportation of foodgrain on humanitarian grounds, she stonewalled the issue citing a lack of infrastructure and saying India had to settle the issue of transit in totality before using Bangladeshi territory.
Interestingly, this refusal came even as Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde made an official visit to Bangladesh to discuss security matters.
Salman Khurshid will raise the issue of food transport during his imminent visit to Bangladesh
The issue will be flagged during the talks between the Indian external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and senior leaders in Bangladesh. The matter is likely to be discussed at top diplomatic levels.
"External affairs minister is going to Bangladesh and the matter will be flagged at the highest level. Bangladesh Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) had assured Tripura chief minister (Manik Sarkar) in January 2012 that the issue would be resolved and she will allow the transshipment of foodgrain through Ashuganj. However, despite our repeated requests, this hasn't happened," a source told Mail Today.
Even though the Awami League government is cooperating with India, especially on security issues, its commitment to the Tripura CM, given during Haseena's visit to the state in January 2012, is still pending.
Saran has spoken to Gowher Rizvi, international affairs advisor to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, on the issue. India has been pressing Bangladesh to allow transit and transshipment facilities through its territory to carry cargo to the seven sister states.
Bangladesh is refusing transportation of Indian goods through Ashuganj port, citing lack of necessary infrastructure.
India carried out three trial runs of transshipment facilities through Ashuganj in September, 2012. The facility was suspended in October as the Bangladeshi government decided not to allow it without the development of required infrastructure at the Ashuganj port.
Read more: India turns to diplomacy after grain transport row with Bangladesh | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
India turns to diplomacy after grain transport row with Bangladesh | Mail Online