NATIONAL 4 - (Spotlight Weekly)

‘We Need To Take More Concrete Steps To Strengthen Ties’

—CYRIL SIKDER

CYRIL SIKDER, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Nepal, is well-known social worker of his country, associated with various social and religious organizations. Sikder, who was also an active member of the Awami League Party, spoke to SPOTLIGHT at his office on Thursday. Excerpts:

What is the state of Nepal-Bangladesh relations?

From the very beginning, relations between Bangladesh and Nepal have been excellent and cordial. At this moment, our friendship is growing stronger. People-to-people relations, too, are cordial. In Nepal, I find everyone is motivated to consolidate the existing relationship between two countries.

What should be done to further strengthen our ties?

On the part of Bangladesh, we have been making great efforts. Of course, Nepal is also making similar efforts. We need to take more concrete steps to strengthen and develop ties as rapidly as possible.

How do you see Bangladesh’s relations with other neighboring countries?

Our relations with India have not moved ahead as in the past because of certain reasons. Because of our border skirmish with India, there are certain misunderstandings. Talks will take place between the two countries this month after which we hope things will pick up again. This is also a very important matter for Nepal. If our relations with India are sour, India will not allow Nepal and Bangladesh to use the transit point.

Why has not surface trade between Nepal and Bangladesh picked up? Do you think the infrastructure is not adequate?

The infrastructure is adequate in Bangladesh. The highways are very smooth. As you know, there is a transit point, railway road for export and import. Nepal and Bangladesh can start joint-venture industries. A five-star hotel is being established. There are other joint venture projects between the two countries. Bangladesh and Nepal are yet to sign transport modalities. A committee was constituted during the visit of Nepalese Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Banstola to Bangladesh. After the visit, both countries issued a joint statement emphasizing the need for enhanced trade and commerce. Bangladesh is trying to exploit the available transit facility. The Nepalese government has invited a Bangladeshi delegation to sort out obstacles. It would not be correct to say that infrastructure is lacking. On our side, we have the best infrastructure. When the number of Nepalese lorries and containers start to grow, we will definitely do something to upgrade the roads. The infrastructure currently available on the Bangladesh side is more than sufficient. India is very much involved in ensuring transit between Bangladesh and Nepal. If Nepal uses our Mangola port, you could reduce cost and time substantially. This is a great opportunity for Nepalese businessmen. We are very interested to welcome Nepal’s business community to fully use this opportunity.

What is the trade volume between Bangladesh and Nepal?

The volume of trade between the two countries has increased quite substantially. Our exports to Nepal have now reached US$37 million. Nepal exports to Bangladesh more than a $1 million worth of products.

Despite the vast potential to expand bilateral trade, why haven’t we been able to do so?

Nepal has vast natural resources like boulders and water. Nepal has abundant water resources to produce hydro-electricity. We have an abundance of natural gas, an estimated reserve of about 1trillion cubic feet. These things are supplementary and complementary. If Nepal wants energy at a lower cost, it could import it from Bangladesh. Along with water, Nepal can also channelize other resources like stones, boulders and fish. Bangladesh is going to be one of the major markets for Nepalese products. Boulder and stones are exported directly to Bangladesh. In cooperation and collaboration with India, everything can be possible. Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and India are very close neighbors. We can change the overall economic situation.

Although Nepal and Bangladesh already have a transit point, why hasn’t the trade volume increased?

The trade volume between the two countries continues to increase. Of course, the pace of bilateral trade is very slow. If Nepalese businessmen take more initiative, the situation can be further improved. To increase the volume of trade, it is in the hands of Nepal how to use Kakarbhitta-Phulbari road. India specifically gave this transit road to Nepal. There is an agreement between Nepal and India. We do not have any such agreements with India so our transport cannot cross the border. We have already allocated the areas in the port and it is now up to the Nepalese to decide. Your transport loaded with goods goes up to our border.

It is said that Bangladesh faces floods during the monsoon because of deforestation in Nepal. How do you look at it?

Bangladesh has not had severe floods for the last five years. Although Bangladesh had major floods in 1998, we were able to handle it very successfully. Even the international community hailed our efforts. Ever since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed came to power, our government has developed very effective mechanism to control floods. Nepal and Bangladesh have many similarities in various areas. If we have any development-oriented programs to use the natural resources, Nepal will benefit more. Nepal has many more natural resources than Bangladesh.

How do you think Bangladesh is going to be affected by the World Trade Organization?

As far as Bangladesh is concerned, we are a member of the WTO. My government’s view is that we want more benefits for the developing counties. Nepal will be soon become a member of the WTO. Mobility of labor, capital and joint ventures are required as in the case of the European Union and Southeast Asian countries.

Bangladesh and Nepal had taken the initiative in the establishment of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The setback it has received in the last two years has been very detrimental to the whole region. How in your opinion can such unhappy trends be averted in the future?

As an ambassador of Bangladesh, I can say economic diplomacy is very much part of the SAARC process. International diplomacy is also involved. Therefore, they have to go together. SAARC countries cannot forget their international connections. As for the two-year gap in the summit, the two big countries of the region, India and Pakistan, have some problems. Initially, it is a political problem. The SAARC process is not progressing because of political complications. There is a conflict between India and Pakistan on many political issues.

Bangladesh and Nepal are facing similar problems of cross-border infringements from India. What steps is Bangladesh taking to safeguard its international border?

My host country does not have border infringements, but for Bangladesh, there may be border skirmishes. It naturally happens as Bangladesh and India was part of the one country. Since partition when we were part of Pakistan, the border problem was there. Bangladesh was born on March 25, 1971. After the independence of Bangladesh, this thing is happening often. The border was not demarcated properly. Our father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rehman and Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi signed an agreement in 1974 and most of the things were buried in the past. Only a small portion of the border is demarcated. Border problems are being solved at high-level meetings between the two countries. In order to solve the border problems, we will have another meeting this month. After the meeting, we would be able to sort out our problems.

The nuclear arms race in South Asia has become a cause of great concern for smaller nations of the region. What do you think the smaller nations of South Asia should do to minimize the danger?

It is a very sensitive matter. Bangladesh has been carefully observing this matter. Bangladesh is not in favor of increasing nuclear armaments. We have also signed nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Bangladesh is committed to disarmament and world peace.

India’s endorsement of National Missile Defence system advocated by US President George W. Bush is very ominous for South Asia. What should the smaller nations do to counteract such developments?

We are watching the situation and we have not decided on a course of action yet. We are always for world peace.

Do you think the SAARC summit will take place this year?

The SAARC summit will take place in 2001. I am very optimistic about this. Things are moving in that direction.