Bangladesh on Thursday thanked India for clearing the operationalisation of the Land Boundary Agreement that provided for exchange of territories even as it was exploring a possible visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to that country in first week of next month.
“Today is a very historic and landmark day (for Indo-Bangladesh ties) as the demarcation of the land boundary between the two country has completed after 41 years. Whatever little bit work is left will be completed soon. We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for....” Bangladesh High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali told reporters in New Delhi.
The Bangladesh envoy also said that Thursday’s development settles an old issue and will prepare new grounds for enhancing bilateral ties especially in economic sector.
“We are also exploring a possible visit by Mr. Modi to Bangladesh in first week of next month. However, the dates were yet to be finalised,” Mr. Ali added.
Mr. Ali, who was present in the visitor’s gallery in Lok Sabha to witness the passage of the constitutional amendment bill to ratify LBA, said the approval will make the region more stable. The bill was passed in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
The Lower House, showing rare unanimity, passed the Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill to allow the operationalisation of the 1974 India-Bangladesh Land Boundary agreement.
After the passage, Mr. Modi spoke to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveying his greetings to the people of Bangladesh on this landmark occasion.
Mr. Ali also said that it was during the regime of Ms. Hasina’s father late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974 that the process land boundary demarcation was initiated and it was a matter of great happiness that it was completed during the rule of his daughter.
Asked about the issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh, he said the pact will lead towards more economic integration and take care of any such issue.
He said “unprecedented bonhomie” was seen in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha when the bill was passed as not a single ‘no’ vote was cast against it in either House.
