SOURCE: United News of Bangladesh (UNB)
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said both Bangladesh and India agreed to use non-lethal weapons to reduce border killing to zero. “He (Indian FM) agreed with me that there will be no border killing if non-lethal weapons are used,” Dr Hasan told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The issue of border killings was discussed during his bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on February 7. Cargo vessel movement between India’s Maya and Rajshahi’s Sultanganj begins
Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killing to zero.
Dr Hasan emphasised on early conclusion of Teesta water sharing agreement, aiming to strengthen water cooperation between Bangladesh and India.
He also stressed the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that will expire in 2026.
Responding to a question on Teesta issue, Dr Hasan said the Indian central government has no problem regarding Teesta water sharing but the State government is not yet on-board.
Swiss Ambassador holds ‘positive and constructive’ discussion with Foreign Minister
He said the two countries take forward the discussion on Teesta water sharing after the India’s elections in the coming months.
Foreign Minister Hasan requested his Indian counterpart to withdraw tariff and non-tariff barriers for Bangladesh’s exports, as well as ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh for maintaining price stability, especially during Ramadan.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from United News of Bangladesh.