Shift in foreign policy with Bangladesh likely

Shillong, Nov 9 (PTI) India's foreign policy with
Bangladesh is likely to see a drift after the parliamentary
elections in that country.

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region
Mani Shankar Aiyar said after the elections in Bangladesh, the
northeast states would be actively involved in formulating a
fresh foreign policy with that country aiming to pursue the
economic prospects of the region.

He said, "the political top brass of the northeast has
impressed upon the country's foreign policy establishment that
the 'Look East Policy' has yielded zero dividends to the
region and instead benefited other parts of the country."

"The government has recognised that economic development
in the region has been constrained due to lack of links with
the 'natural' economic hinterland in Bangladesh. That is the
reason why the Centre has lifted the ban on Foreign Direct
Invest (F.D.I.) from the neighbouring country," Aiyar told at
a seminar here on saturday.

Proposing to invite the Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce
and also to tour the neighbouring country with the chief
ministers of the northeast, he said factors such as
globalisation and liberalisation are replacing protectionist
policies of yore.

Calling upon the N.E. states to adopt proactive policies
to develop the border trade with Bangladesh and Myanmmar, he
said moulding the relationship with the neighbouring countries
would also improve the national security of India.

"The internal security in the region should be fitted
into a larger scheme. Once Bangladesh realises the benefits of
trade links with India, the internal security concerns of
northeast vis-a-vis the neighbouring country, would
automatically be addressed," he said.

"The year 2009 should be a Year of India and Bangladesh,"
the minister said. PTI RTJ
SAK
NNNN