NEW DELHI, Nov 23 � The Centre on Wednesday clarified that protocol to the Agreement on Demarcation of Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh was based on the situation on the ground, takes into account the wishes of the people and was prepared in close consultation with the State Government concerned.
Minister of State for External Affairs, Preneet Kaur�s written reply in the Lok Sabha is interesting in light of the controversy generated in the State in the aftermath of the signing of the protocol.
The Demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters, 1974 was signed during the visit of the Prime Minister to Bangladesh on September 6-7. At least agreements and MoUs were signed including the protocol to the Agreement Concerning the Demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters during the Prime Minister�s visit.
However, Kaur added that protocol is subject to ratification by the government of the two countries and shall enter into force on the date of exchange of instruments of ratification.
The implementation of the protocol would result in then exchange of 111 Indian Enclaves in Bangladesh with 51 Bangladeshi enclaves in India and preserve status quo on territories in adverse possession.
�The protocol is based on the situation on the ground, takes into account the wishes of the people residing in the areas involved and was prepared in close consultation with the State Governments concerned,� said the Minister.
The protocol seeks to address the outstanding land boundary issues pertaining to the undemarcated land boundary, exchange of enclaves and territories.
In a separate reply to a question External Affairs Minister, SM Krishna clarified that in case of Bangladesh, there is no illegal occupation of Indian land. Since independence, there have been pockets along the India-Bangladesh border, which have traditionally been under the possession of people of one country in the territory of another country.
