India's agreement with Bangladesh proved beneficial: Saran

Shillong: India’s cooperation in trade, tourism and mutual agreement on security related matter with neighbouring Bangladesh has proved mutually useful to both the countries, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran said in Shillong today.

“We enjoy good cooperation with Bangladesh and this is something that is proving to be useful to both of our countries,” he said pointing out that the two nations are having cooperation in all sectors including anti-insurgency operations.

Saran, who called on Governor RS Mooshahary, is on a tour of North-Eastern states which have borders with Bangladesh.

His visit came days after Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh chief ministers visited Bangladesh to attend the India-Bangladesh Trade Fair.

According to Saran, the two CMS had “very good meetings and a lot of ideas have emerged from those meetings”.

The High Commissioner said the outcome of the meeting will be put into action in consultation with the Centre.

Pointing out that Meghalaya stands to derive the maximum benefit from improved bilateral relations with Bangladesh, Saran said, “Meghalaya shares a very long border with Bangladesh. Many sectors, including tourism, education and even perhaps horticulture and agriculture produce could directly be exported”.

Commenting on the opening of more border haats along the international border, Saran said “there is a demand from Meghalaya government and the people for more border haats. Some of the other north-eastern states also wanted more border haats”.

Asked how Bangladesh government has received the opening of the border haats, the High Commissioner said, “Bangladesh government is very happy and at the last commissioners level talks held in March, they have already identified some border haats which will be opened soon.”

“Both sides stand to benefit in term of commerce, in terms of better mutual understanding and in terms of peace and harmony along the border. It has multiple objectives,” Saran said.

The High Commissioner would be visiting Tripura besides other states in the north-east before he heads back to Dhaka.

PTI