Dhaka, Kathmandu agree on common river sharing plan
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka and Kathmandu agreed in principle to formulate a common strategy for sharing the water of common rivers and also to initiate a dialogue for drafting and signing a free trade agreement (FTA) to foster bilateral economic relations. The agreements were reached after a one-hour discussion between the two heads of government, held at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday. Visiting Nepalese Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia led their respective sides in the meeting. Later, briefing newspersons on the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the prime ministers discussed the river-linking programmes of India and were of the opinion that there should be a tripartite approach, involving Bangladesh, Nepal and India, to resolve conflicts and issues over share of common river waters. The meeting also observed that although the political relations between Nepal and Bangladesh were very good, there was no adequate reflection of that friendship in the bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The present annual trade volume between the two countries is only $3.50 million, with the balance of trade being slightly in favour of Nepal. But, Bangladesh said it sees ample opportunity for increasing the trade volume. To achieve that target, the two sides stressed establishing direct cross-border road links. The two PMs also deliberated on various ways for strengthening the Saarc and lauded the decision of Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to join the forthcoming Saarc summit in Pakistan. Among other things, Thapa and Khaleda talked on issues relating to regional and global politics. The two Saarc leaders stressed strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation and underscored further co-operation in social and education sectors, Chowdhury said. During the meeting, the Nepalese prime minister invited Khaleda to visit his country at a convenient time, which she accepted. Earlier in the morning, Thapa went to the National Memorial at Savar and placed wreaths to pay respect to the martyrs in the struggle for independence of Bangladesh. The Nepalese PM also called on President Iajuddin Ahmed at the Bangabhaban in the evening and discussed issues relating to common concerns and mutual benefits. Thapa had yet another meeting with Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, when the latter called on him at his hotel suite in the afternoon. The Nepalese prime minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka today for the Maldives via Singapore.
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