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Hasina�s India visit: Improving NE connectivity on talks agenda

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, April 3 - Improving connectivity of the North East region through Bangladesh will be one of the key points of discussion during the ensuing visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. Moreover, both India and Government will discuss the ways to stop the growth of radical forces.

Highly placed official sources in New Delhi told The Assam Tribune that no discussion between India and Bangladesh is possible without involving an issue which concerns the North East region. Good relation with Bangladesh is crucial for improving connectivity of the North East, which is important for overall development of the region.

On the issues to be discussed during the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister, sources revealed that connectivity of the North East through the neighbouring country would be one of the major issues. Once India starts using the Chittagong port to bring in and send out goods from the North East, the region would get a major economic boost. The Government of Bangladesh has already agreed to allow India to use the Chittagong port but some measures would have to be taken to improve road connectivity to connect the North East with the port. Both India and Bangladesh will have to work out the modalities for construction of proper roads for transportation of goods to the Chittagong port and that issue will feature during the talks between both the countries.

Sources said that railway connectivity and gauge conversation would be another issue to feature in the talks. To have proper railway connectivity between India and Bangladesh, it is vital that the railway tracks of both the countries are compatible and this will be discussed in the meetings.

Replying to a question on whether infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals to India would be discussed, sources said that at present, there is a standard protocol for deportation of the Bangladeshi nationals detected in India. The Government of India has to submit the details of the Bangladeshi nationals nabbed in India to the authorities of the neighbouring country. They would verify it and only after thorough verification, the Bangladesh authorities accept the persons sought to be deported from India.

Sources admitted that it is difficult on part of India to be �aggressive� with Bangladesh on the issue as both the countries have border guarding forces and �it is a fact that we also have not been able to totally prevent infiltration.�

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