Prime minister's foreign affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi has said there should be no further delay in providing transit to India.
'We've waited for 40 years to offer transit to India. We can't wait anymore,' he told a seminar organised by Economic Reporters Forum at the National Press Club in the city on Monday.
The seminar titled 'Connectivity: Economy and Other Aspects' was also addressed by Tariff Commission chairman Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies research director KAS Murshid and ERF president Monwar Hossain.
Referring to the global edge of connectivity, Gowher Rizvi said the whole world was moving towards establishing greater connectivity, and Bangladesh could not be beyond that reality.
He alleged that some misleading campaigns were being launched against providing transit to India. Many people raise questions as to what benefits the others will get from the transit.
'But, the discussion should be more on what benefits Bangladesh would derive from the transit,' the PM's adviser said, adding that Bangladesh will get huge benefits from the transit.
He said it's not true that India would not pay any fees for the transit. 'We'll get every legal and legitimate fee from India for using transit facilities.'
Rizvi said Bangladesh expected transit facilities through India from Nepal and Bhutan in near future.
Tariff commission chairman Mujibur Rahman said transit issue was not a new issue. India has been enjoying transit facilities from Bangladesh for many years in the river routes. 'But the transit through roads and railways are now being re-established through the new agreements.'
He claimed that both the governments of Ershad and Khaleda Zia had recognised the necessity of transit. So, it has a popular support.
BIDS research director KAS Murshid said transit should not be offered to India before carrying out a thorough study on the loss and benefits for Bangladesh.
He said if there was any proven necessity, at best the railway transit could be offered to India on a mid-term basis.
Source : New Age
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