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Renewed Indo-Bangla Transit Protocols
(Union Finance Minister to visit Dhaka)
The period of Indo-Bangla
Transit pacts ends on the 31st March this year. Along
with it also ends the period of the Protocol on the Internal
Waterways Transit and Commerce pact of 1972. Hence the renewed
attempt with a draft frame-work on allowing transit to India has
been prepared. The government is having the suggestions of the
Chairman of the Tarrif Commission Core committee as well. A
directive is expected on formation of a technical committee in the
matter this month during the proposed visit of the Finance Minister,
Pranab Mukherjee to Dhaka. The Core committee suggested that side by
side the transit facilities should also be allowed to Nepal and
Bhutan.
But there should be some
bargaining with India for those two land-locked countries. With this
end in view several modifications are expected to be done on the
1972 Trade pacts with India.
There are two avenues open
to India and Bangladesh on interim extension of the protocols of
Water transport and Commerce. If the modifications are brought about
in the original pact there may not be necessity for any change in
the new pact. Separate protocols would be signed on road, rail and
water transport and on utilization of the sea-ports. Therefore, in
which way the Bangladesh Authority would proceed may be cleared out
with the crucial visit of the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to
Dhaka. This visit is so much important no doubt.
During the visit of the
Finance Minister discussions on Tistha river and Tipaimukh bund
would also be made. Along with this question of ratification of
protocols signed on various issues during the visit of Prime
Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to Dhaka also remains. There are a
number of such protocols are to be ratified by the Indian Parliament
too. The countries should have to define routes for transit ;
ware-houses, testing laboratories are also to be set up for the
consignments.
A separate organization
would be for control and management of the Transit affairs. A
Council of Ministers is to be constituted with the Commerce
Ministers of the countries involved. The Council will finalise the
working procedures of the Transit affairs. In an Annual meeting the
Council of ministers will discuss on the whole gamut of the
activities about the Transit affairs. With this a new chapter is
going to be opened for better transit facilities between India and
Bangladesh. This will no doubt open a new vista of development and
prosperity for both the neighbouring countries.
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