Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni yesterday said the present government has taken steps to improve relations with India and other neighbours as negative attitude towards them proved counterproductive in the past.
"There is no alternative to maintaining good relations and friendship with the neighbours . . . the people had felt severely what cost they had to pay for maintaining strained relations with neighbours in the past 40 years," she said this while she was speaking at a book launching ceremony.
Dipu Moni said the past bitter experiences prompted the current government to take steps to develop ties with the next-door neighbours.
She made the comments a day after her Indian counterpart SM Krishna's three-day visit, considered crucial ahead of Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit in September.
She termed her talks with Krishna "very successful and productive" saying "significant progress has been made on all unresolved issues". "I hope the progress that has been made on different issues will have a successful conclusion during Indian premier's visit," she added.
Dipu Moni referred to her "positive discussions" with Krishna on water sharing of the Teesta river, lands in adverse possession and enclaves saying, "We hope that two countries would reach a consensus on these crucial issues during Manmohan's visit."
She said steps have been taken by both the countries to reduce the huge gaps in bilateral trade and develop the land ports along Bangladesh-India borders.
Referring to the transit issue, she said development of regional connectivity was a must for improving the livelihood of the people of the region and "We have been working together to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the one-fifth population of the world who are living in the region."
Later, she unveil the cover of the book titled 'Global flashpoint: South Asia and Middle East' authored by eminent journalist and columnist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof AK Azad Chowdhury chaired the function.
Former ambassador Barrister Harun ur Rashid, columnist Hasnat Abdul Hye, columnist Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, journalist Hasan Shahriar, People's University Vice-Chancellor Prof Mustafizur Rahman and publisher of the book M Shamim Wahid were present at the publication ceremony.
Source : The Daily Star
