Ex-Indian Minister Mani Shankar seeks Bangladesh’s investment in India’s northeastern states; he terms Hasina’s New Delhi visit a historic breakthroug

By AKM Moinuddin

Dhaka, Jul 11 (UNB) – India’s former union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said here Sunday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi last January was a historic breakthrough in strengthening Indo-Bangladesh relations.
“The document signed during the visit demonstrates a very welcome recognition of what are the potentials and how the potentials are realized between the countries,” the renowned politician-cum columnist said.
Mani Shankar made the remarks while delivering a talk titled “Bangladesh-India Relations” at the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI). BEI president Ambassador Farooq Sobhan presided over the discussion.
Mani Shankar observed that lot of time was wasted in the last 37 years and urged his Bangladeshi friends to calculate how much it had adversely affected the people of both the countries.
The Indian politician invited Bangladesh to invest in Indian northeastern region where he thinks possibilities are enormous.
“Northeast region was the most neglected element of the India-Bangladesh relations in the last 40 years but it (northeast region) has to be part and parcel of the Indo-Bangla ties,” he said.
Mani Shankar who worked for Rajiv Gandhi from 1989-91, said one can look forward to invest there. “In the northeast you will find opportunities and advantages which are not available to you in other parts of the country (India).”
“There are enormous possibilities but it’s the question of good will, and a good sign has already been reflected through Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India,” he said.
Mani Shankar said that Indian northeastern states want to enhance trade relations with Bangladesh. “I do believe things will look much brighter.”
He expressed happiness over the present initiatives to enhance the trade ties between Bangladesh and the seven-sister states of India.
Recalling his old memories Mani Shankar said things were very informal between Bangladesh and India in those days.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Rajeet Mitter, former diplomats and political leaders were present.
END/UNB/AKM