Thrust on BD-India relations

Speakers at a dialogue in the city on Tuesday laid emphasis on joint efforts to make Bangladesh-India relations a model of growth and development for others.

They also observed that the two neighbours are now enjoying the best of ties due to consistency of their policies over the last nine years.

Twenty-three journalists, representing various media outlets from New Delhi and Kolkata, are participating in the three-day Bangladesh-India Media Dialogue-2018 that began on Monday evening.

The Institute of Conflict, Law and Development Studies (ICLDS) is hosting the dialogue.

Senior journalists from Bangladesh and India laid emphasis on playing a positive role in removing anti-Indian and anti-Bangladeshi sentiments on both sides of the border and reaching the benefits of friendly Bangladesh-India relations to all.

They said there is a significant role of media remains to be done in addressing the irritants, impediments and misunderstanding still exist between the two countries and sought to enhance media cooperation.

Taking part in the discussion with the theme 'Bilateral relation between Bangladesh and India in last nine years and way forward', journalists of both the countries called for early solutions to the pending issues, including the Teesta water sharing issue for further advancing the relations.

Held with Chairman of the ICLDS Ambassador Muhammad Zamir in the chair, Executive Editor of The Asian Age Syed Badrul Ahsan and Chief of Bureau (Politics & Policy), The Telegraph, India Devadip Purohit presented two keynote papers at the event.

High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla spoke on the occasion as the chief guest at the event moderated by Editor of Bhorer Kagoj and Director of ICLDS Shyamal Dutta.

From Indian side, Editor of The Telegraph Jayanta Roy Chowdhury, Ex-Editor of Catch News Bharat Bhushan, Assistant Editor of Times of India Mohua Chattapadhyay, Nadeem Kazmi of Urdu Daily, Anamitra Chatterjee of Anandabazar Patrika took part in the open discussion of the session.

From Bangladesh side, Rezaul Karim of The Daily Star, Angur Nahar Monty of News 24 and Rahul Raha of Channel 24 and other spoke on the occasion.

The Indian high commissioner said Bangladesh and India are now at the best phase of their bilateral relations.

He said both the countries have inked 108 instruments during the last nine years and 60 of them in the last two years.

The Indian envoy mentioned that the volume of the bilateral trade between the two neighbours have tripled in the last nine years.

Journalist Badrul Ahsan in his keynote speech said a certain gap has persisted in links between media in the two countries.

On the Rohingya situation, he said Bangladesh has felt disappointed with what has been perceived in Dhaka as Indian indifference to Bangladesh's position on the influx of tens of thousands of refugees forced out of their homes in Myanmar.

Devadeep Purohit in his speech said rights of the minorities must be ensured both in Bangladesh and India, and all should fight together to protect the rights of the minorities.

On resolving the water sharing issue, he said the two countries must amicably settle the water sharing issue, especially of Teesta. "West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee thinks there is no enough water, while the views on this side of the border are different," he said.

Devadeep further said there are several other rivers and the government and also the civil society have the responsibility towards avoiding g an 'upstream-downstream' conflict.

Over cricket, the Indian journalist said, "We must remember that the contest between bat and ball should be restricted to the field only."

The exciting bunch of Bangladeshi cricketers is too good and so are the men in blues, he continued. "We should be cheerleaders for both the teams and efforts should be made so that India-Bangladesh matches do not trigger wars in social media."

Director (News) of Ekattor TV Syed Ishtiaq Reza and Editor of The Telegraph Joyonto Roy Chowdhury also presented keynote papers on 'Bangladesh-India Cooperation in Economic Aaspects'.

Prime Minister's Energy Affairs Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury attended the session as the chief guest.

Earlier, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu inaugurated the media dialogue on Monday, reports UNB.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister and General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader will attend the closing session of the dialogue on Wednesday as the chief guest.

State Minister for Information Tarana Halim, Deputy High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Dr Adarsh Swaika will be there as special guests.