He also told a select group of journalists that the agreement on sharing Teesta waters should be fair, equitable and acceptable to all stakeholders in the two countries.
?Progress in India cannot be separated from progress in Bangladesh. The two neighbours must progress together,? Mitter said, reiterating the focus of Indian foreign policy on Bangladesh.
The career diplomat, who is set to retire on completion of his Dhaka assignment since December 2009, appreciated the role of Awami League government in bringing a thaw in Indo-Bangladesh relations in the past two years but insisted that the relations must continue beyond any regime.
Dwelling on the contentious issue of transit, Mitter pointed out that nothing would be sustainable unless it is beneficial to both the parties.
?India will be benefited from connectivity and new business opportunities like transport services will also open for Bangladesh,? he said, adding that northeast India would remain a hinterland of Bangladesh.
The high commissioner emphasised that Bangladesh?s unique geographical location has made it the focal point of transit to neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Nepal and China.
?We are ready to pay transit fees and we are already paying for water transit. As it is the businessmen who will use the facilities at the end of the day, I think the rate should not be too high and its structure should be consistent,? he said.
The diplomat explained that the water transit remained operational in line with inland water trade and transit protocol of 1972 and that the recent shipment of Indian consignments through Ashuganj in Bangladesh was an addition to the earlier deal.
Asked about the barriers to a possible deal on Teesta water sharing, Mitter said there are a number of factors and the two governments are trying to sort them out before signing an agreement which should be ?fair, equitable and acceptable to all stakeholders?.
He declined to comment on Paschimbanga Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee?s comments on the confusions reported by the press centring her role in Teesta talks.
But he said the issue should not overshadow the progress made during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s recent visit to Dhaka.
The high commissioner mentioned that Bangladesh?s exports to India increased 68 percent in the past financial year and it would grow further after Manmohan?s announcement allowing duty-free access of goods from Bangladesh to the Indian market.
Asked if Delhi would seek extradition of insurgent leader Anup Chetia, who is now in custody of Bangladesh government, Mitter did not go into individual case but said the two countries joined hands in combating terrorism along the border and such efforts would continue.
In his last appearance before the Bangladesh media, the high commissioner touched on a wide range of bilateral issues from cooperation in power trade to progress in India?s $1 billion credit line for Bangladesh, to scholarship for Bangladeshi students and exchange of programmes in cultural arena.
Asked how he tackled the nightmarish situation after Manmohan Singh?s statement that 25 percent Bangladeshis are anti-Indians, Mitter remained evasive, saying the issue is over.
?India and Bangladesh must work together,? he said, appreciating the generosity and warm hospitality and beauty of rural Bangladesh as Sonar Bangla.
Source: daily-sun.com
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