New Delhi
20 March 2006
Recognising New Delhi's security concerns, Bangladesh Prime
Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's Government has asked five cellular telecom operators to
relocate their transmission towers at least eight kilometres from the border with India.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is reported to have
given the companies two weeks to complete the task. The decision was taken over the
weekend, ahead of Begum Zia's visit to India.
Indian agencies have told their counterparts in Dhaka about the security challenges
posed by the telecom services and sought tighter controls to curb the passage of
militants into India and smuggling of goods.
The Bangladesh premier arrived in New Delhi this afternoon on a three-day State visit.
This is her maiden visit to India after she became prime minister for a second time in
October 2001.
The buzz is Begum Zia is carrying specially designed Jamdani silk saris as gifts for
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's wife, Ms Gursharan Kaur, and for UPA Chairperson
Sonia Gandhi.
"It is a significant visit. We attach much importance to [it.] India realises her
responsibility to carry the region along as we develop," Union Minister of State for
External Affairs Anand Sharma said.
Bangladeshi diplomatic sources, in turn, said Dhaka expected New Delhi to "create
conditions for easy movement of goods" and to correct the trade imbalance given the
asymmetry in the economies of the two countries.
The sources said Dhaka expected a "unilateral decision" from India for 100 per cent
market access for Bangladeshi products and could suggest certain "do-ables" in this
regard when the two delegations meet on Tuesday.
As Begum Zia began her visit, a New Delhi-based human rights group has urged New
Delhi to raise the issue of "systematic persecution" of the minorities and indigenous
tribal peoples in its discussions with Dhaka.
"Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has shelved the Vested Properties Return Act brought by
the Awami League government in 2001 and the lands and properties of Hindus continue
to be seized," said Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.
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