INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER VISITS BANGLADESH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003903

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV BG
SUBJECT: INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER VISITS BANGLADESH

Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4 d.


1. (C) Summary: BDG and Indian High Commission contacts
describe Indian Foreign Minister Singh's visit as a positive
resumption of dialogue, though little if any progress was
made on key issues. The Bangladeshi focus is now on the
upcoming visits of the Indian water resources and commerce
ministers, and the SAARC summit in November. End Summary.

2, (SBU) Local media hailed the August 6-8 visit to Dhaka of
Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, the first by a
minister of the UPA government, as a goodwill visit signaling
a thaw in Indo-Bangladeshi relations. Singh's meetings
included Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Foreign Minister Morshed
Khan, Finance Minister Saifur Rahman, opposition Awami League
president Sheikh Hasina, and prominent constitutional
lawyer/oppositionist Kamal Hossain.


3. (SBU) Khan told the media that their "fruitful" talks
covered trade, water sharing, border management, UN reform,
cross- border terrorism, illegal migration, extradition
agreements, and the Burma-Bangladesh-India gas pipeline. He
called for rapid implementation of the 1975 border
guidelines, expressed concern over Indian's border fences,
urged the removal of trade barriers for Bangladeshi goods,
stressed the need for India to develop land ports to
facilitate movement of Bangladeshi products, welcomed
continued Indian investment, expressed concern over India's
inter-river linking project, and repeated that no terrorist
group operates from Bangladesh. Singh emphasized GOI
concerns over Bangladeshi illegal immigrants, pressed for an
extradition treaty, stated support for a bilateral free trade
agreement, agreed to exchange information about floods and
weather, and solicited Bangladeshi support for a seat on the
UN Security Council.


4. (SBU) In addition, BDG and GOI officials expressed hope
and plans for future discussions on increased bus service
between India and Bangladesh, increased scholarships for
Bangladeshis at Indian schools, increased visas for Indians
to Bangladesh (Note: the Indians here issue over 1,000 NIVs
each day),future discussions on the Burma-Bangladesh-Indian
pipeline, Bangladesh's access to Nepal through India, and the
import of power from Bhutan. They also announced that Indian
Water Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi will come to Bangladesh
later this month to discuss water issues.


5. (SBU) On August 7, Singh addressed a seminar on
"Indo-Bangladesh Dialogue on Trade, Investment, and
Connectivity." He emphasized the need for both India and
Bangladesh to counter the common threats of terrorism and
religious fundamentalism, and advocated increased bilateral
trade as a way to boost prosperity and good neighborly
relations. Khan downplayed any bilateral differences, saying
nothing is beyond resolution as long dialogue is open.


6. (C) On August 4, looking ahead to the visit, PMO Foreign
Affairs Advisor Reaz Rahman characterized Singh's visit to
Charge as an effort to lift the two countries out of their
"doldrums," which he attributed more to circumstance than the
design of either side. He affirmed the BDG's determination
to move the relationship forward and address the GOI's five
areas of concern: Indian militants allegedly using Bangladesh
as a sanctuary, illegal migration, the alleged use of
Bangladesh as a launching pad for militant attacks in
northeastern India, communalism, and the BDG's alleged
reluctance to promote bilateral trade. He identified BDG
issues as water, India's USD 1 billion trade balance with
Bangladesh, negative Indian media reporting on Bangladesh,
and transit rights to Nepal. "Let's move ahead where we can,
and talk about the rest," he said.


7. (C) Asked about the status of ULFA leader Anup Chetia, who
remains in detention in Dhaka despite the end of his sentence
for various immigration offenses, Rahman said, "The only
reason we keep Chetia is our sense of sovereignty and Indian
bullying. We never got any credit for sealing our border
during the Indian operation against ULFA in Bhutan." He
expressed the hope that coordinated border security would
lead to joint patrols and "a new spirit of trust." He
insisted that the last thing any BDG would want to do is to
help a militant group dedicated to evicting Bengalis and
other non-Assamese from Assam.


8. (C) On August 9, Home Minister of State Babar told Charge
the Singh visit went well but offered no details. Addressing
a think tank seminar later that day, Foreign Secretary
Hemayetuddin cautiously welcomed Singh's visit as "a positive
confidence building measure" and went on to reiterate BDG
concerns about various Indian actions and proposals,
including a South Asia Free Trade Agreement.


9. (C) Senior Indian High Commission officials were
cautiously upbeat to us about the visit, but noted there had
been no movement on issues of concern. They complained that
the BDG denies any knowledge of ULFA leaders in Bangladesh
except for Chetia, although they have humint and "signals"
indicating otherwise. They confirmed that India is committed
to attending the SAARC summit November 12-13, and that Natwar
Singh would return to Dhaka for the preceding ministerials.


10. (C) Comment: The BDG is trying to take the high road with
India, at least publicly, and leave behind its bitterness
over the postponement of the SAARC summit earlier this year
and other perceived GOI slights. Still, it is notable that
BDG officials talk about the need for CBM's to build a new
spirit of bilateral trust, a sign of just how bad they think
the relationship sank. Now, the Bangladeshi focus is on the
August 29 visit of the Indian water resources minister, who
will co-chair the first meeting of the Indo-Bangladesh Joint
Rivers Commission since 2003.
CHAMMAS