New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Thursday
decided to work "constructively" in resolving differences to
demarcate the land boundary in all three undemarcated areas,
including Daikhata-56, and agreed that issues of Enclaves and
Adverse Positions (APs) be addressed in a "pragmatic" manner.
The decisions were taken at the 4th India-Bangladesh
Joint Boundary Working Group (JBWG) meeting held here, in
which the Indian delegation was led by T S Tirumurti, Joint
Secretary (BSM) in Ministry of External Affairs and the
Bangladesh team was headed by Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Joint
Secretary (Political) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The two-day meeting discussed all outstanding issues
pertaining to the land boundary in a "cordial and friendly"
atmosphere, with a view to arriving at a comprehensive
solution, an official release said here.
Both sides agreed to work constructively towards
resolving differences to demarcate the land boundary in all
three undemarcated segments of Daikhata-56, Lathitilla-
Dumabari and Muhuri River (Belonia).
Recalling the observations made during joint visits to
enclaves and APs in May 2007, the two sides agreed that the
issues of enclaves and APs should be addressed in a pragmatic
manner.
"Both sides expressed satisfaction that mutually
reconciled list of enclaves have already been prepared and
signed. There are 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51
Bangladeshi enclaves in India. Both sides agreed to jointly
take steps necessary to facilitate the process of exchange of
these enclaves to their respective countries," it said.
In this context, both sides agreed that there was a
need to find pragmatic solution to the issue keeping in mind
the spirit of Land Boundary Agreement and also in the light of
ground realities.
They agreed to jointly assess the areas in the lines
of the joint exercise undertaken in 1996-97 and as a part of
this understanding, both sides agreed to take up the APLs
along Meghalaya?Bangladesh border on a priority basis.
They reaffirmed that pending resolution of outstanding
boundary issues, there should be no disturbance of the status
quo and peaceful conditions shall be maintained in the border
regions as stipulated in Article 3 of LBA.
Both sides welcomed the understanding and cooperation
between BSF and BDR on maintaining peace and tranquillity in
the border areas, especially in APLs, until the outstanding
issues are resolved.
The JBWG was set up in December 2000 to resolve
matters relating to the demarcation of the undemarcated
boundary between India and Bangladesh.
The two sides agreed to put in place all necessary
arrangements, including infrastructure and security,
expeditiously, with a view to implementing the decision to
allow 24-hour unfettered access through Tin Bigha Corridor to
Bangladesh nationals.
They agreed to meet in Dhaka at a mutually convenient
time.
PTI
