Provisions in 15th Amendment to Bangladesh Constitution Criticized

Constitution and legal experts believe that many important provisions of the 15th Amendment to the constitution more dangerous than Baksal (one-party rule established by the then Awami League government in 1975). According to them, the most dangerous provision of the 15th Amendment is some part of the Article 7 (a). Under this provision, retraction of citizens' confidence and trust in the constitution will be treated as an act of sedition with the highest punishment. This highest punishment means death sentence.
Establishing One-Party Hegemony
According to the experts, there are scopes for using this provision in the spirit of Baksal for establishing one-party hegemony and suppressing the opposition parties and voices of dissent. This can close down the path of freedom of expression and the objective, independent, intellectual and constructive criticism of any article of the constitution. According to the provision, the government may take initiative of arresting and putting behind the bars all writers, speakers, editors for critical articles so far published and discussion held in the mass media. There are also scopes of awarding the highest punishment for these kinds of activities. Such dangerous provisions are not found in the constitution in any democratic country in the world and also even in the states in South Asia.
Article 7(a) (1) says, ‘If any citizen retracts his confidence and trust in this constitution or takes attempt of doing so or conspire against it, his or her activities will be treated as acts of sedition, and the person concerned will be guilty of sedition.’ About punishment, Article 7 (a ) (3) says, ‘The person convicted under the provision of this article will be awarded the maximum punishment prescribed for other criminal activities under the existing law.
According to constitution experts, the second most dangerous aspect of the 15th Amendment is that more than 50 articles of the constitution have been made 'beyond amendment' (cannot be amended). The Amendment has inserted Article 7 (a) restraining addition, revision, replacement, suspension and any other means of brining changes to the 50 articles of the constitution. Even Article 7 (a) has been identified as basic structure and beyond any revision. The provisions have seriously squeezed the authority of the next parliaments.
According to the experts, the provisions under Article 8 (2) of the constitution could be the basic structure of the constitution. There will be no scope of establishing the US style of government and right to education and health as fundamental rights under the provisions.
Article 7 (a) says, ‘The fundamental rules in the constitution are irreversible. Whichever might be in Article 142 of the constitution, the revision, change, replacement, suspension or change through other means of the preamble of the constitution, all articles in the First Chapter, all articles in the Second Chapter, all articles of chapter Three as per the provisions enshrined in Chapter 9. a, and the other Articles relating to basic structure, including Article 150 of the Chapter 11 will be beyond any revision. This Article has made 50 articles of the charter above revision.
Articles Contradictory to Fundamental Rights
About the 15th Amendment to the constitution, elderly Supreme Court Lawyer and Constitution Expert Justice T H Kahn said: ‘I do not know whether any constitution world have articles contradictory to the fundamental rights. This amendment has limited the fundamental rights. Many objectionable things have been inserted in the constitution through the amendment. In a nutshell, arrangements have been made to snatch away the rights of the people. In comparison with Baksal, it is a paradise. Baksal is a one-party system. Whatever done in Article 7 (a) is very dangerous.’
Justice T H Khan said: ‘If we compare the Fourth Amendment (baksal) with sweetmeat the 15th Amendment will be some of bitter taste. Thousands of atom bombs have been added to it. Such provisions have been made that the people wh o debate might have face sedition charges if they criticize the constitution. This bears the signal ‘you are weak party, you will be hanged.’
He further said: ‘Making 50 basic structures of the constitution is totally illogical. Their (government) slogan was to revert to the 1972 constitution. But there were nothing like these in that.’
Baksal System Government
In this regard, Supreme Court Bar Association President Advocate Khandkar Mahbub Hossain said: ‘The 15th Amendment has made the provision for highest punishment for any sort of distrust in the constitution. I do not know whether any constitution in the world has such a provision or whether it has any necessity. There should be limit to intimidating the citizens or cheating them. I think they (Awami League government) have crossed that limit. Some articles have been inserted in the charter in the name of constitution amendment. Like the Fourth Amendment to the constitution, these articles will create severe obstruction to the path of multiparty democracy. This is an ill attempt of reintroducing the Baksal system government. I think the people under no circumstances will accept this.’
Khandkar Mahbub Hossain said: ‘According to the present amendment, more than 50 basic structures have been made in the constitution. A ridiculous provision forbidding the revision of the structures has also been in the amendment, which is absolutely undemocratic and contrary to the basic spirit of democratic state. No constitution in the world has such an instance.’
About the provision made through Article 7 (a) of the 15th Amendment forbidding addition, revision, replacement, suspension and change by any other means of the rules related to articles dealing with the basic structures of the charter, Constitution Expert Dr Shadin Malik said: ‘This has been done out of inability to understand the real meaning and importance of the constitution. Constitution is not like traffic laws that require elaborate rules and regulations. These amendments stem from inability to realize the basic spirit of the constitution. The constitution does not require the provision for whose photos will be displayed at factories and community centers. These are contrary to the basic spirit and course of the constitution.’
Dr. Shadin Malik said: ‘The main function of the constitution is to ensure stability and continuity in running the affairs of the state. In these two yardsticks -- stability and continuity -- the 15th Amendment has failed. Unfortunately the government's prime consideration in the amendment was to retain the authority of the party so that its power remains if force smoothly in future also. The constitution is the document of the people's ownership of power. But now that document is being used to become the owner of power.’
In this regard, Supreme Court Senior Lawyer Barrister Abdur Razzak said: ‘Retraction of citizens' trust and confidence in the constitution will be treated as sedition and highest punishment will be given for this offence -- once Pakistan had introduced such a provision, but it did not sustain. Such provisions cannot be contained in any constitution.’
Dangerous Aspect
About as the basic structures of 50 articles in Article 7 (a), he said: ‘No constitution defines which the basic structures are. The basic structures cannot be changed anyway, how such a provision is included in the constitution.
In this regard, a constitution expert and Dhaka University Law Department Prof Dr Asif Nazrul Islam said: ‘Sheikh Hasina has contained the Baksal system, to some extent, through the 15th Amendment. The Fourth Amendment had killed democracy. And the 15th Amendment has brought about some important changes that could be used for further torturing the opposition parties and weakening those. The matter of most concern is that these provisions have paved the way for closing down the path of free thinking, practicing multidisciplinary opinions, freedom of speech and newspapers.’
Dr. Asif Nazrul Islam said: ‘To my opinion , the most dangerous aspect of the 15th Amendment is some portion of Article 7 (a). Article 7 (a) said: ‘If any citizen retracts his confidence and trust in this constitution or takes attempt of doing so or conspire against it, his or her activities will be treated as acts of sedition, and the person concerned will be guilty of sedition.’ This provision in the spirit of Baksal has scopes for establishing a one-party hegemony and suppressing the opposition parties and voices of dissent. He said that this provision might close down the path of free and intellectual thinking about any article of the constitution, freedom of speech and even constructive criticism.
Antipeople Provision
According to this provision, the government can take initiatives for arresting and detain the writers, speakers and editors for the articles and discussions so far held on the 15th Amendment of the constitution. There is no existence of such an antipeople provision in the constitution of any democratic country in the world and even the South Asian states.’
Dr Asif Nazrul Islam said: ‘The 15th Amendment has severely limited the authority of the next parliaments. Article 7 (a) has described as basic structures at least 50 articles, including the fundamental principle of the constitution have also made those irreversible. And my question -- how the provisions under Article 8 (2) of the constitution could the basic structure as the citizens have no right to enforce the issues through court? If Article 7 (a) persists in the constitution, all coming parliaments will have to accept all the things (amendments) of the present parliament as the final and irreversible.’

Deteriorating Political Situation in Bangladesh

Two types of fear have been expressed involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Begum Khaleda Zia. Apprehensions have been expressed that Begum Khaleda Zia might be arrested. And if this happens, a big disaster might loom large in the political sky of the country. Moreover, a fear has been expressed over the life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Both the fears have been expressed by senior leaders of the two major parties led by the two women leaders of the country.
Country's Political Arena
People ranging from politically conscious individuals to common masses have become worried as apprehensions were expressed about the two prime leaders of the country's political arena. Because these two women leaders are controlling the country's politics. Everything in the country is dependent on the two leaders. And as a result, the fears about the two leaders have crated unease and anxiety among different quarters.
Political parties under the leadership of the main opposition party -- the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- have already announced that they would build a tougher movement in the streets after the upcoming Id on the issues of price hiking of commodities, deterioration of law and order, gas, electricity and water crises, dilapidated condition of roads and highways across the country and signing of secret deals with India.
The leaders from different rallies and meetings have announced that this government will be dislodged from power through a tougher movement under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. In the wake of this, BNP leaders allege, the government is conspiring to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia in connection with a case relating to misappropriation fund of Zia Charitable Trust.
Anticountry Agreement
At first BNP Standing Committee Member Goeshwar Chnadra Roy at a discussion meeting at the National Press Club said the government was conspiring to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia. He said that the government signed anticountry agreement with New Delhi during Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh. He said that the government was planning to arrest the opposition leader so that the people of the country could not build movement to resist the agreements against national interest under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. According to him, the government is planning to arrest her to appease India.
Subsequently many senior BNP leaders have also alleged that the government is conspiring to arrest Begum Khaleda Zia. Issuing an warning in this regard, Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal president said, "The government will not be able to detain Begum Khaleda Zia in any prison of the country. If Khaleda Zia is arrested, this government will be ousted from power through a tougher mass movement."
Spreading Violence
A severe reaction was created in the political arena following expression of apprehension about the arrest of Begum Khaleda Zia. The BNP is taking preparations for building movement in the streets in the event of the government taking such a step. Political analysts believe the ongoing movement against the government might turn violent if Khaleda Zia is arrested.
Meanwhile, a more serious matter of concern than the arrest of the opposition leader and spreading of violence out of the event has been expressed by the ruling Awami League General Secretary and Local Government Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and Prime Minister's Education Adviser Dr Alauddin Ahmed.
Ashraful Islam has disclosed a more direct apprehension in this regard. At a discussion meeting he said a conspiracy has begun in the country to kill Prime Minster and Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina. He disclosed the apprehension at a discussion meeting organized by the Awami League at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital Dhaka.
The discussion was organized under the chairmanship of Awami League Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury on the occasion of the 21 August 2004 Grenade attack. At the meeting Syed Ashraful Islam said a conspiracy was being hatched to prepare the grounds for killing Sheikh Hasina through destabilizing the country's situation. He said grounds were also prepared in 1975 through various conspiracies to kill Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Describing the recent movement of the opposition parties as the conspiracy to prepare the ground for killing Sheikh Hasina, Ashraful said we admit the rise in the price hike of essentials and dilapidated condition of roads and highways in the country. But a quarter is out to create an anarchic situation on the issues to destabilize the country.
Conspiracies Hatched
The Awmi League Leader said repeated conspiracies were hatched in the past to kill Sheikh Hasina and the conspiracies are still going on. He said we have to protect Sheikh Hasina. For this reason, he said, the leaders and workers of the Awami League will have to face the situation in a united way.
The minister has termed as 'part of the conspiracy' the publication of articles in different media that Bangladesh needed anti-corruption personality like Anna Hazare of India. He said some newspapers are searching for Anna Hazare. He said some of the TV channels are presenting events smearing color to create a destabilizing situation in the country. This is also part of the conspiracy so that the conspirators get the chance to kill Sheikh Hasina.
Syed Ashraful Islam said a particular quarter is searching for Anna Hazare in Bangladesh with an ill motive. He said our country has a government, the parliament and democracy. He wanted to know whether the government here is plunged into so deep in corruption. The minister said the government has not committed such crimes that warrants searching for an Anna Hazare in this country.
Syed Ashraful Islam also considers as part of the conspiracy the uproar created within the ruling party in the wake of failures of the government in different sectors. He urged the party leaders and workers to remain vigilant against the conspiracies and said a conspiracy is being hatched to crate division in the Awami League. The local government minister said attempt are being made to create deficiency in confidence among us.
He said a particular quarter is trying to reap benefit after creating division and conflicts between leaders and leaders, MPs and MPs and the party and the government.
Issuing a note of warning to the Awami League leaders and workers, Syed Ashraful Islam said still we have time to forge unity. It will not do if we allow ourselves drifting away. Sharing of power is not our main target.
National Interests
In this regard, Jahangirnagar University Professor Dr Tareq Shamsur Rahman said recently that the apprehension expressed by the senior leaders of the two parties about the two top women leaders is a matter of concern. It will not be in the interest of the country if anything bad happens to any one of the two leaders.
Shamsur Rahman said lawsuits have been filed against the leader of the opposition party. He said a severe agitation will spread among millions of BNP workers and supporters if she is arrested. And this will make violent the ongoing movement against the government. He said none is expecting such a situation in the country.
However, a serious anxiety has been created in the wake of apprehension expressed by important ministers of the government and the ruling party general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam about the plot to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said the minister should present before the nation the conspiracy of the killing the Prime Minister. He also called for taking necessary measures to unearth the conspiracy to kill the prime minister. Because, he said the lack of security of life of the prime minister is very damaging for the country.

Bangladesh Rejects Indian Proposal for Exporting Natural Gas

Bangladesh has turned down an Indian proposal for exporting natural gas to that country. Indian Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde placed the proposal on 15 September 2011 during his visit to Dhaka to join a meeting of the (South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) energy ministers. Dhaka did not respond positively to the proposal.
Growing Problems
In this regard, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Enamul Haque said Bangladesh was unable to export gas at this moment because of deficit of the energy in the country. At a news conferee on the evening of 15 September 2011 the state minister said Bangladesh will export gas to foreign countries in future subject to availability of the energy.
It has been learnt that the two countries a meeting discussed 250-MW electricity from India. In this regard, the sate minister electricity from India could be received from India in due course of time as per the commitment of New Delhi. He said the media report published on the complexities regarding construction of joint gridline between Bangladesh and India was not completely right. But he admitted that some problems were created over acquiring lands for the gridline at a number of places in the Indian state of West Bengal. He said that Bangladesh had the similar problem.
At this moment Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said electricity from India could be availed from in India on time. He said the problem created in the West Bengal will not hamper the project. Because, a minor section of the gridline will be required to be built on the India side while rest was in existence from earlier.
SAARC Energy Ministers’ Meeting
Moreover, the two-day meeting of the SAARC energy ministers ended at Rupashi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka on the same day through the concluding ceremony. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the concluding session. Power ministers from five countries and 35 represetatives attended the meeting.
The SAARC member countries at the meeting reached a consensus on singing power deals among the countries. In addition, the meeting adopted a survey on attaining energy security in the South Asia.
Presenting the detailed outcome of the meeting at a news conference in the evening, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources State Minister Mohammad Enamul Haque said the SAARC countries will sing a power exchange agreement within the next year (2012). The meeting decided to elicit opinion on the draft agreement until 31 October 2011.
Regional and Energy Trade Survey
He further said the meeting adopted the SAARC Regional and Energy Trade Survey. The survey recommended guidelines on production and trade in the power and energy sector of the SAARC countries. An analysis of the survey shows that the committee of experts has stressed the need for signing a framework agreement for enhancing capacity in the power and energy sector of the SAARC countries.
The experts believe such a framework agreement will benefit every member state. They also put emphasis on regional trade and legal compulsion.
Energy Security System
The survey shows the yearly demand for fuel oil by the SAARC member countries is increasing by 5 percent while for gas by 6.34 percent. The per hour demand for electricity the SAARC countries by 2020 will increase to 2920693 KW.
A source with the meeting said the member countries are in a state worry over the present quantity fuel for power generation. And as a result, they put stress on building an energy security system through mutual cooperation.
According to the survey, the Maldives is ahead of all the member countries in the commercial use of energy. The next positions go to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan at the last.
The survey report says the SAARC countries have their peculiarities in the use of energy. But India and Pakistan are dependent on more than one source of energy. The rest countries have unilateral source. The survey stressed the need for diversifying the use of energy in those countries.
The state minister at the press conference said the SAARC countries at the meeting agreed to carryout survey on inter-grid power exchange. Besides, Bangladesh at the meeting placed a proposal for forming a SAARC Energy Regulatory Commission.

India-Bangladesh Sign Accords

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Bangladesh visit had been affected the opposition to the proposed Teesta River water distribution agreement. Annoyed with it, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the Feni River agreement, and has brought the very package of water distribution under question. Notwithstanding all this, the signing of 10 agreements on the very first day of Manmohan's visit is testimony that the two countries desire to come closer to each other, and want to get the water dispute resolved amicably.
Resolution of the boundary dispute between the countries is a great achievement of Dr. Singh's Dhaka visit. Under the agreement, both countries have agreed to demarcate their boundaries on the basis of give-and-take of 162 enclaves. To acquiesce Bangladesh, which was annoyed with the impasse over the Teesta agreement, India allowed the entry of 61 manufactured goods from Bangladesh into India as duty free. The Indian prime minister also announced to grant transit facilities to Bangladeshi citizens from the "Teen Bigha" corridor. The corridor would now remain open 24 hours a day for movement.
Strategic Partnership in Various Sectors
The 10 agreements signed relate to mutual cooperation, preparing a framework for development, declaring Sunderban a protected area, protecting Royal Bengal tigers, fisheries, protection of cattle, audio-visual media, cooperation between the University of Dhaka and New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, cooperation between institutes of fashion technologies in the two countries, and other areas. Common civilization and history have a significant role in mutual relations of the two countries, yet for Bangladesh it is of greater significance that at present, India is one of those developing countries, the economy of which is growing at a very fast pace, and Bangladesh can derive immense benefit from strategic partnership in various sectors, including science and technology, with India.
In Bangladesh, water is of greater significance because of the country's geographical location. That is why there were great expectations in India on the Teesta agreement prior to the prime minister's Dhaka visit. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee termed the agreement against the interests of people of her state, and objected to it. She even refused to accompany the prime minister to Dhaka. It was after that the government had to clarify that any decision on the agreement would be made only after a detailed discussion. The Teesta water agreement was, therefore, kept aside, which clearly greatly dismayed Bangladesh. It was in this backdrop that on the eve of Manmohan Singh's Dhaka visit, the Bangladesh Foreign Office sent for India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh to express dismay on the issue, and demanded a clarification. Bangladesh, on the other hand, put aside the Fenni water agreement.
Expressing its annoyance, Bangladesh did not agree to permit India to use its territory for trade purposes. All this makes it clear that India's strategic and trade interests have been jeopardized. Yet, it is a matter of satisfaction that of the 10 agreements signed between the countries, the agreement on border dispute is the most significant. This makes it clear that there is desire to resolve all issues wisely and discreetly. In view of this, the prime minister's Dhaka visit assumes even greater importance.
Agreements Signed

The following agreements were signed during Manmohan Singh's Dhaka trip:
1. Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development
2. Protocol to the Agreement concerning the demarcation of the Land Boundary between India and Bangladesh and related matters
3. Addendum to the MOU between India and Bangladesh to facilitate Overland Transit Traffic between Bangladesh and Nepal
4. Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Renewable Energy
5. Memorandum of Understanding on Conservation of the Sunderban
6. Protocol on Conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban
7. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Fisheries
8. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Doordarshan and Bangladesh Television
9 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dhaka University
10 Agreement of Cooperation between National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFT), India and BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina Visits India: Bangladesh Assures India To End Terrorism

The story of Osama Bin Laden has come to an end after a military operation carried out by the United States in Pakistan. Now, all major powers, including the United States and India, are exerting pressure on Pakistan to take action against the perpetrators of the 26 November 2008 incident (terrorists strikes in Mumbai) and strictly adhere to its assurance that it would not let its territory used by terrorists to carry out anti India activities. No categorical response has come from Pakistan on it, so far.
Under these circumstances, the assurance given by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid of Bangladesh to cooperate fully with India against terrorism, assumes greater significance because Bangladesh is one such neighbor, the territory of which may be used by the terrorists against India.
Better Cooperation
Sheikh Hasina has assured Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is on a visit to Bangladesh, that she would not allow Bangladeshi territory to be used for terrorist activities against India and would extend full support to India in its war on terror. In fact, India has received better cooperation from Bangladesh against terrorism earlier, than from Pakistan. It is despite the reported information that several terrorist organizations and outfits, like the Harkatul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI), and the insurgent groups active in the Northeastern region in India, have turned Bangladesh into their safe haven. There are also reports that several terrorists and insurgent of groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) are hiding in Bangladesh. Despite it, it is equally true that Bangladesh never gave them the liberty to function as Pakistan did. During the Sheikh Hasina era, in particular, an air of confidence has been created between India and Bangladesh and mutual cooperation between the two has increased.
Reiteration of Mutual Trust
The assurance given to Ansari is based on traditional mutual relations and is a reiteration of mutual trust and cooperation. Ansari fearlessly expressed India's concern in the presence of Sheikh Hasina and emphasized the need of mutual cooperation. It makes it clear that India does not expect Bangladesh to be indifferent to terrorism like Pakistan, which is not prepared to take any action against terrorists based in that country. India expects Bangladesh to rein in HuJI, ULFA, and other such insurgent outfits.
It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may also visit Bangladesh and the issue of terrorism would be on the top of the agenda of talks with the Bangladesh leadership. Three agreements with regard to dealing with terrorism already are in existence. India also wants Bangladesh to sign an extradition treaty. India feels that such a treaty is needed to extradite ULFA head Anup Setia to India. True that no worthwhile progress has been made on the issue during the current visit by the vice president yet, it cannot be ignored. That the assurance given by Sheikh Hasina is in unison with India's stand against terrorism.

Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Cooperation: Scopes and Prospects

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's three-day visit to Dhaka, recently. The implementation of the MoUs could create a relationship of immense cooperation in different fields between the two countries.
MoUs Signed
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have signed MoUs on technical education, nurses training, culture, exchange in education and science, agriculture research, research of fisheries and livestock, and export promotion.
In addition, during the official meeting between President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the two leaders discussed cooperation in food security, shipping and curbing terrorism. In the exclusive talks, they stressed the need for working together in the regional and international forums. Sri Lanka has assured of extending support to Bangladesh vying for nonpermanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
Over all, the Sri Lankan president's Bangladesh visit can be termed a great scope for developing Dhaka-Colombo bilateral relations. Both countries are still lagging far behind in optimum utilization of the scopes and prospects in the fields on which the MoUs have been signed.
Trade Development
In the fiscal year 2009-10, Bangladesh exported goods worth $23.7 million to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka at the same time exported goods worth $22.6 million to Bangladesh. In the first six months of the current fiscal, Bangladesh's exports were at $13.8 million, whereas Sri Lanka's exports stood at $12.8 million. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith has said the volume of bilateral trade between Dhaka and Colombo is not satisfactory. The Sri Lankan finance minister has said that the trade volume was not mentionable.
But there have been immense prospects. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) presented those prospects before the Sri Lankan president during the luncheon arranged in his honor on 19 April. The FBCCI has urged the Sri Lankan entrepreneurs to invest in the infrastructure, agro-industry, power and energy sectors of Bangladesh. FBCCI President A.K. Azad has placed proposals for joint venture investment in coconut oil industry, textiles, hide, shoe making, engineering, and food processing industries. The organization also has called for forming a joint economic council to enhance bilateral trade and investment. It may be mentioned here that Sri Lanka invested $70 million in Bangladesh from 1971 to 2010.
The dim picture of trading between the two countries could be brightened with a successful implementation of the proposals adopted during the visit of Sri Lankan president. The two countries have agreed to undertake various measures in this regard, including removing nontariff barriers and brining diversity in export items.
Cooperation in Other Sectors
In addition, the peoples of both countries could reap immense benefits by utilizing the huge scopes and prospects in cooperation in the fields of technical education, nurses training, culture, exchange in education and science, agriculture research and research on fisheries and livestock. There should not have any dearth in active initiatives from our side in this regard.

16th SAARC Summit: 25th Anniversary of Founding

The 16th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit concluded on 29 April in Bhutan's capital Thimphu। SAARC, an economic and political organization, includes Bhutan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Summit also marked the 25th anniversary of its founding। Anniversaries generally are times of introspection and resolve. When it is the 25th there is all the more reason to do so.

SAARC has come a long way since its inception। Though it may not be able to match the record of the EU in terms of economic and fiscal integration the results achieved are remarkable. This is especially so in view of the strained relations between its two giant members - India and Pakistan. Actually the unresolved problem between them has been the single most deterrent to its rapid progress. However, that the South Asian nations have been able to achieve significant economic integration despite that divide is a sign of the maturity of its leaders including those of India and Pakistan.

By now SAARC has the institutional mechanisms to further strengthen its diverse unifying mechanisms. The South Asian agreement of cooperation in fighting terrorism is a case in point.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepal Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, Maldives' President Mohamed Nasheed, and Bhutan Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley attended the two-day summit.

Major Issues Discussed
At the end of the Summit, the leaders agreed on the following major issues:

1। The leaders noted Bangladesh's proposal to convene an inter-governmental meet in Dhaka on the SAARC charter of democracy.

2। SAARC countries might consider Bhutan's experience with the concept of Gross National Happiness and welcomed Bhutan's offer to host a SAARC workshop on GNH in 2010.

3। They noted that while climate change impacted every country, the SAARC member states as developing countries were shouldering a major burden, in spite of having contributed least to the problem. They emphasized that global negotiations should be guided by the principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities as enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate change. They underscored the need to initiate the process to formulate a common SAARC position for COP16.

4। Leaders called for focus on water management and conservation and development of cooperative projects at regional level.

5। The leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed deep concern over the threat which terrorism continues to pose to peace and security and economic stability of the region. They emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to fight terrorism and crime.

6। Action plan on energy conservation would be prepared by the SAARC energy center, Islamabad with inputs from the member states and submit to the inter-governmental mechanism for consideration.

7। Leaders noted the proposal from India for preparing a roadmap for developing a SAARC market for electricity (SAME) on a regional basis.

8। The leaders took note of the reports of the steering committee of the South Asian university, and appreciated the progress being made towards establishing the university.

India's Announcement
India has announced setting up of a fund that would help South Asia effectively meet urgent adaptation and capacity building needs posed by climate change and also proposed establishment of innovation centers in the region to develop sustainable energy technologies. India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the announcement at the 16th SAARC Summit that began here with an apt theme - 'Toward a Green and Happy South Asia'.

He also proposed setting up of climate innovation centers in South Asia to develop sustainable energy technologies based on indigenous resource endowments and welcomed the conclusion of the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment.

Noting that India has already launched a national mission in sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, the Indian Prime Minister said the initiative could serve as a nucleus for regional cooperation in this vital area.

Singh said there was perhaps no region more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than South Asia and lauded Bhutan's efforts in combining development with conservation of the environment.

The SAARC Council of Ministers on 27 April agreed to seek observer status at the climate talks scheduled to be held in Cancun, Mexico in December to better articulate the concerns of the region.

Bangladesh May Turn Hostile to India With Change in Power

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's son Tariq Rehman is said to be involved in smuggling of arms. These arms being sent to United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) insurgents were confiscated. According to the Bangladesh Government agency BSS, Hafizur Rehman (involved in the biggest arms smuggling racket of Bangladesh so far, in 2004) has admitted before a court that he had met ULFA leader Paresh Barua along with Tariq on 1 April 2004 at Hawa Bhawan, the office of Khaleda Zia's party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Corruption and Criminal Charges
The Daily Star, a daily published from Dhaka, wrote in its 8 February edition that on 2 April 2004, Hafizur Rehman admitted the involvement of some officials of National Security Intelligence (NSI), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), and Chatgaon Urea Fertilizer Company Limited (CUFCL) in the attempt to smuggle 10 truckloads of arms. At that time, Khaleda Zia's BNP and Jamat coalition was in power. In his interrogation Hafizur Rehman said that Paresh Barua left him outside and went inside Hawa Bhawan to meet Tariq. Tariq is currently the vice chairman of BNP and is embroiled in corruption and criminal charges. He is in London these days for treatment.

Amid allegations of hiding facts by Khaleda Zia government, the previous government supported by the Army had ordered reinvestigation into the Chatgaon arms case two years ago. After the reinvestigation, several high-ranking intelligence officers were arrested, including two former Army officers.

The Accused
According to the Daily Star, two former director generals of NSI, Major General Razakul Hyder Chaudhary and Brigadier General Mohammed Abdur Rahim (both retired), were arrested by Bangladesh CID in connection with the Chatgaon arms case. The others accused were former Director (Defense), Wing Commander (retired) Sahabuddin Ahmed, former Deputy Director (Technology) Major (retired) Liaqat Hussein, NSI Field Officer Akbar Hussein, former CUFCL Managing Director Mohsin Talukdar, and General Manager (Administration) Iqramul Haq.

The other side of Tariq Rehman's story is that during the BNP rule, he was not only the most powerful politician, but also the contact person of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for operating anti-India activities. This means that the nexus between infamous DGFI, NSI, ISI, and ULFA would have continued if Tariq Rehman's story had not emerged.

Hasina's India Visit
During Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent visit to New Delhi, she promised that she would not allow her country's soil to be used against India. This gives strength to the hope that people like Tariq Rehman and Paresh Barua would not be able to run their campaign against India from Bangladesh, but for how long?

What happens when BNP comes to power again? This means that despite the honest intentions of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh would continue to be a headache for India.

Fencing Necessary on India-Bangladesh Border

Hundreds of Bangladeshis enter the country illegally everyday from Bangladesh. They are spread in almost all cities of India in search of livelihood. The burden of its own population is a matter of concern for India. In addition, hundreds of thousands of foreigners are damaging our economy and social fabric.

Infiltration Continues
Voices are raised against them in India and pressure is also exerted on Bangladesh to control infiltration, but despite that infiltration continues. This infiltration has given rise to several complex problems in India.

Despite giving all sorts of promises, the Bangladesh Government is not preventing the same. In this situation, it has become unavoidable and essential to put fencing on India-Bangladesh border, but the Bangladesh Government is opposing the same. This has kept the matter pending for years. Sometimes, firing takes place between the countries over this issue. Of late, there have been such skirmishes.

Presently, relations between India and Bangladesh are cordial. After the Sheikh Hasina government came to power in Bangladesh, insurgents of northeast India have been driven out from their hideouts there. They had been running their training camps and were carrying out terrorist activities in India, but the matter of fencing a large portion of the border between the countries is not yet sorted out.

High-Level Talks
There were talks between high-level officials of the two countries on the issue, but there was no result. In fact, there is dispute about some areas between the two countries and the reason is there are forest, rivers, and nearly 4,000-km-long border. The differences regarding certain areas have been sorted out, but still there are nearly 100 such locations that have been the cause of dispute between the countries.
Although the disputes are very complex and difficult, it would be in India's interest to solve them. Then, Bangladesh would have no objection to erecting the fence.

India-Bangladesh Goodwill Ties To Impact Neighboring Nations

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 's India visit can be characterized historic in many respects. Bangladesh came into existence as an independent country in 1971. In 1947-1971 it was a part of Pakistan and was known as East Pakistan. It became independent after a prolonged struggle. At that time, the Pakistani military killed thousands of its people. India had been instrumental in the achievement of its independence. Sheikh Majibur Rehman was the first prime minister of independent Bangladesh. It invariably extended friendship to India. But, in 1975 Sheikh Mujibur-Rehman was murdered along with his entire family.
However, his daughter Sheikh Hasina Wajed was saved because she was away from Bangladesh then. In the wake of the murder of Mujibur Rehman, the political history of the country had been chaotic. The Constitution adopted by Mujibur Rehman in 1972 was based on democracy and socialism, but in 1979, former President Ziaur Rehman made a series of amendments in the Constitution, directing it toward Islamic ideology.
Over the past three decades, Bangladesh continued to pass through similar chaotic conditions. Hence, it distanced itself from India persistently, passing through different regimes. At one state the distances between the countries seemed to be turning into animosity. After a prolonged struggle Hasina assumed power in Bangladesh. In the December 2008 elections, her Awami League party emerged victorious with a vast majority.

Anti-Terror Strategy
Hasina has always been recognized as "pro-India." With her latest India tour, the India-Bangladesh ties can be expected to be fortified. During her visit she stated in no uncertain terms that "anti-India" terror activities from the soil of Bangladesh. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced monetary aid to the tune of $1 billion to Bangladesh, which can be termed the highest financial support extended to Bangladesh from any other country. Manmohan Singh also said that Hasina's visit will not only usher a new era in the India-Bangladesh relationship but also the two nations will continue to maintain the friendship in the future also.
In the context of the tension between the countries over the river water problem, the Indian Government, exhibiting magnanimity, declared that India will not implement its Tipaimukh dam project. Simultaneously, India will also start a 250 megawatt power project for Bangladesh. The two nations have also resolved to prevent terrorism and smuggling of narcotic products. Under it cooperation, it will be extended at all levels. It was also announced that India will promote marketing of Bangladeshi goods by providing a slew of incentives. The two countries will extend cooperation to each other in the agricultural sector also. So far so, India will be able to use the Chittagong Port of Bangladesh for exports and imports of Indian goods.

Developing Mutual Goodwill
We are of the view that as a consequence of the newly developed mutual goodwill the two nations will greatly benefit from each other and its impact will be extended to other neighboring nations also. India has maintained cordial ties with Maldives, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Pakistan is the only country with which cordial ties would be possible only after a long period of time. Maximum regard is due to be paid to the sentiments of the daughter of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Visits India

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paid a state visit to India. During her stay, India extended $1-billion Line of Credit (LoC) to Bangladesh as the two countries today took bilateral ties to a new plane, signing five accords to combat terrorism and consolidate trade, economic and cultural links.
This was the highest single LoC pledged by New Delhi to any nation, which would be utilised for development projects, like rail lines, locomotives and supply of buses, official sources said after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Significant Announcement
Manmohan Singh also announced 250 MW of electricity for Bangladesh from the central grid. Another significant announcement was New Delhi’s approval to allow Bangladesh access to Nepal and Bhutan both by rail and road. The two sides also decided to establish a rail link between Akhaura in Bangladesh and Agartala in India. It was also agreed that Ashuganj in Bangladesh and Silghat in India would be the ports of call between the two countries. India also announced 300 scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
The counter-terror agreements signed by the two countries after the talks between the two prime ministers were on “Mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons, and combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking. The two countries also inked a power cooperation agreement and a cultural exchange programme.
India pulled out all stops to accord a grand welcome to Sheikh Hasina as she began her four-day state visit. After she received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the visiting leader called on President Pratibha Patil and later held talks with External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.

Range of Bilateral Issues
The two prime ministers held delegation-level talks at which they are learnt to have discussed a wide range of bilateral issues, situation in the region and international developments. Describing Sheikh Hasina’s visit as a milestone, Manmohan Singh said India looked forward to establishing a forward-looking and multifaceted relationship with Bangladesh.
Reiterating their mutual desire to resolve all bilateral issues through negotiations, the two prime ministers decided to establish a mechanism for comprehensive cooperation. Sources said the two sides also discussed the challenges posed to their security by terrorists and insurgents.
It is understood that the two prime ministers discussed sharing of river waters, resolution of the maritime border dispute and the promotion of bilateral trade and connectivity. Manmohan Singh assured Sheikh Hasina that India would not do anything on the controversial Tipahimukh Project that would affect the interests of Bangladesh.

Hasina Gets Indira Gandhi Prize
Sheikh Hasina was conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. The award was introduced by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in 1986, two years after the Indian prime minister was assassinated. Past recipients of the award include former US president Jimmy Carter, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and Namibia's independence movement hero Sam Nujoma. The last recipient was Mohamed El Baradei, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The visit of the Bangladesh Premier was a path-breaking one and provided both countries an opportunity to build a new and forward-looking partnership.