Dhaka optimistic about resolving trade standoff with Delhi: Touhid

Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md. Tauhid Hossain, addressing a seminar on SAARC - People of South Asia Crave For at the National Press Club on Sunday 8 Dec 2024.

DHAKA, Dec 8, 2024 – Foreign Affair Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today said Bangladesh anticipates a resolution to the ongoing trade recession with India that has persisted over the past two to three months, 

“The slowdown is impacting not just Bangladesh but also India. Traders in Kolkata are facing the brunt as well,” he said while addressing a discussion titled “The SAARC: People of South Asia Crave for,” held at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. The seminar was also addressed by eminent businessman and BNP leader Abdul Awal Mintoo, security analyst Brig Gen Hasan Nasir (retd) while former editor of The New Nation presented the keynote paper. Rafiqul Islam Azad moderated the session also addressed by SAARC Journalist Forum secretary general Md Abdur Rahman, Jatiya Press Club general secretary Ayub Bhuiyan and DUJ president Shahidul Islam with Nasir Al Mamoon, president of SAARC Journalist forum, Bangladesh chapter, in the chair.  

Expressing optimism, Hossain added, “We hope the standoff will be resolved soon.”

The foreign adviser noted that Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow for Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and India, where bilateral trade issues and other matters of mutual concern are expected to be discussed.

 “If we want to solve problems, we have to first acknowledge their existence,” Hossain remarked, emphasizing the importance of frank dialogue between the neighbours.

He highlighted a qualitative shift in the Bangladesh-India relationship following the political changeover in Bangladesh on August 5.

The SAARC Journalist Forum, Bangladesh Chapter organised the seminar that brought together experts to discuss regional challenges and opportunities.

Turning to regional cooperation, the foreign adviser expressed hope for the resumption of SAARC Foreign Secretary-level meetings, which have been stalled for a decade. 

He suggested that this could pave the way for Foreign Minister-level discussions and, eventually, a SAARC Summit.

“SAARC appears dead, but it should not be buried,” he said, referencing an Indian diplomat’s statement to underline the need for revitalizing the regional bloc.

The adviser underscored the importance of regional cooperation to boost trade, enhance economic growth, and alleviate poverty in South Asia, urging member states to overcome bilateral differences for the collective benefit of the region.

Touhid noted that the SAARC Summit has been stalled for 10 years, largely due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. 

The foreign adviser laid emphasis on the necessity of regional cooperation to tackle common challenges.

Abdul Awal Minto said SAARC region is inhabited by the world’s poorest people. Business and trade should increase between and among the countries of the region to create wealth and eradicate poverty. He said that trade within the ASEAN was 57 percent of total volume while in the EU it was above 60 percent, But in South Asia trade within the region amounted to only 2 per cent of total. 

Brigadier General Hasan Nasir said with the rise of India and China the epicenter of economic power shifted to Asia and this should have reinforced the SAAC. But trade and cooperation in rhe region suffered due to bilateral tensions. Referring to tensions over water diplomacy, trade hegemony and unilateral corridor through Bangladesh in the name of regional connectivity be made mention of several security issues and said unless India adopts a proactive confidence building immediately cooperation in the region will remain a distant dream. Bangladesh should recalibrate its relations with India based on equality and mutual respect. India should stop interfering with politics and elections in Bangladesh and its Teesta and Lalmonirhat airport projects. Bangladesh should take initiative to form a sub-regional group involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka and create pressure on India to get back to SAARC, he added.

In his keynote address Mostafa Kamal Majumder noted the common regional aspirations of the people of South Asia as reflected by multilateral activities involving the SAARC countries by the SAARC secretariar in the spheres of trade, customs duty harmonisation, education and cultural cooperation. He also noted that the countries of the region are spontaneously participating in the South Asian Football Federation championships, the South Asian Federation Games and in the exchange of meteorological data in the region. The lead taken by journalists to revive the SAARC spirit will hopefully help restore SAARC itself by leaders of its member countries in the near future, he said. – GreenWatch News Desk