Kathmandu: Nepal and B’desh have felt the need to “fully reactivate” the SAARC process for the overall socio-economic progress of the peoples of the South Asian region.
The two nations from the SAARC also expressed their “satisfaction” at the recent decisions of the member countries to hold meetings at the technical levels and have also “hoped” that meetings at “higher levels” would take place in the near future.
This has been stated in a statement issued after the conclusion of Nepali foreign minister’s visit to Dhaka last week.
This notwithstanding, sources at the SAARC Secretariat, however, maintain that though the junior levels meetings of the SAARC were moving smoothly but yet the chances for the early resumption of the SAARC Summit were fairly remote.
According to Shital Nivas sources, even if every thing went smooth in Indo-Pak ties then the Summit might take place by the end of this year or early next year.
In the meantime, an Indian team comprising of scholars and former diplomats following Track-2 diplomacy is paying a visit to Islamabad to manage a rapport with Pakistani scholars who could influence the establishment for a constructive dialogue with India so that the now suspended SAARC Summit could be brought to its original track. Among others in the Indian team is India’s former foreign secretary J.N.Dixit.
Below we produce the full text of the joint statement issued after Bastola’s Dhaka visit-Chief editor.
His Excellency Mr. Chakra Prasad Bastola, Foreign Minister of Nepal paid an official visit to Bangladesh from 8 to 11 January 2001 at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Abdus Samad Azad, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister of Nepal was accompanied by senior officials of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal.
During his visit, the Foreign Minister of Nepal visited Bangbandhu Memorial Museum and paid homage to the memory of the father of the nation Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Foreign Minister of Nepal called on the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh. During his call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister of Nepal handed over a message from the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Nepal. He had an exclusive meeting with the foreign minister of Bangladesh, which was followed by delegation level talks on bilateral and other matters of mutual interest. He also had a meeting with the Hon’ble commerce minister of B’desh during which matters relating to trade and economic cooperation were discussed. The Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh paid a courtesy call on the Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Nepal.
The official talks between the two countries were led by the respective Foreign Ministers. B’desh foreign minister was assisted by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary, Secretary (Multilateral) and other senior officials of the Government of Bangladesh. The Foreign Minister of Nepal was assisted by the Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh and senior officials of His Majesty’’ Government of Nepal. During the official talks, the entire range of bilateral relations between the two countries as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern were discussed.
The bilateral issues covered during the talks included commercial and economic cooperation and ways and means of enhancing the existing level of trade exchanges including diversification of exportable items by either sides, investment, joint venture, tariff concessions, cooperation between the chambers and private sectors, improving the existing air link between the two countries etc.
The two sides discussed matters to transit routes by rail as well as road and modalities for improving the present transit arrangements. The Bangladesh side offered to the Nepalese side increased facilities including special tariff for port handling, longer storage facilities, concessional warehousing and larger number of railway wagons for lifting increased cargo at Mongla port for bilateral as well as transit trade. The official talks also covered issues relating to improved infrastructure including customs, immigration, banking and telecommunication links at Banglabandh to further facilitate trade and transit between the two countries.
During the talks, the two sides discussed ways and means of enhancing cooperation in the field of water resources including modalities for flood mitigation and harnessing of water resources of the region. The talks also dealt with the possibilities of increased cooperation in the field of agriculture through sharing of experiences in this sector for mutual benefits.
The two sides reviewed cooperation in the field of education and methods of improving the existing level of cooperation in this field. Also covered during the talks was the matter relating to cultural cooperation and it was stressed that steps need to be taken to further intensify cultural exchanges between the two countries. The two sides reviewed the existing cooperation in the tourism sector and it was agreed that the existing potential for cooperation in this sector needs to be further tapped for mutual benefit. Matters relating to telecommunication links between two countries came up for discussion and it was agreed that the existing links need to be increased both quantitatively and qualitatively for more efficient tele-link to enhance trade, economic and other inter-changes between the two countries.
The two Foreign Ministers decided to form a sub-committee consisting of senior officials of the two governments to look into the possibilities of expediting increased cooperation in matters relating to trade, transit and overall economic cooperation, and to recommend initiatives to be taken for enhancing cooperation in all these sectors.
During the official talks the two sides reviewed the current status of activities of SAARC and agreed that steps need to be taken to fully reactivate the SAARC process for the overall socio-economic progress of the peoples of the South Asia region. In this context, the two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the recent decisions of the member countries to hold meetings at the Technical level and they expressed hope that meetings at higher levels would take place in the near future.
The official talks between the two sides were held in an atmosphere of warmth and cordiality that amply demonstrated the commonality of interest of the two countries. It was also a reflection of the long standing and deep rooted tradition of friendship, trust and confidence that has characterized relations between the two countries and the two peoples. The two Foreign Ministers reiterated the commitment of their Governments to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries in the spirit of trust, understanding and partnership for mutual benefit and future-oriented cooperation.
During his stay in Bangladesh, the foreign minister of Nepal visited the Export Processing Zone at SAVAR to see infrastructural facilities provided by the Government of B’desh to various industrial units and to explore the possibilities of Nepalese investment in Bangladesh through full equity and joint venture participation. The Nepalese foreign minister and his delegation had a meeting with the members of Federation of B’desh Chambers of Commerce and Industry during which matters relating to existing bilateral trade between the two countries were discussed extensively.
The visit of the foreign minister of Nepal to B’desh was yet another milestone in B’desh-Nepal relations and has added a new dimension to the already existing close ties between the two countries.
The foreign minister of Nepal invited the foreign minister of Bangladesh to pay an official visit to Nepal at an early date. The invitation was accepted with pleasure. The dates for the visit would be worked through the diplomatic channels.