Just a week ahead of his visit to Dhaka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has compared the settling of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) between Bangladesh and India as the fall of the Berlin Wall.Modi, who is scheduled to visit Dhaka on June 6-7, however, did not give any direct answer about the long-pending Teesta water sharing deal, reports UNB.”We had settled the long pending land boundary issues with Bangladesh by taking all parties into confidence. The media has not realised this was a massive achievement and is talking of other issues,” he told in an interview to The Tribune, an Indian daily.Had this been elsewhere in the world this would have been cited as an example as big as the fall of the Berlin Wall, Modi said.”The entire mood of our neighbourhood has changed dramatically because of our message of shared prosperity being implemented on the ground. Mine is practical and outcome-based diplomacy,” said the Indian Prime Minister.He made the observation when Raj Chengappa, Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune Group of Newspapers, wanted to know whether there will be also a deal on the sharing of Teesta waters during his Dhaka visit.Asked whether India can sort out the border issue with China as it did with Bangladesh, Modi said, “I have just met the people of China, and realised that a window of trust is open. Let’s see where it takes us.”He said this is a very important relationship which has its complexities and challenges. “I am deeply committed to improving our ties.”Modi said creating a more positive environment to expand economic cooperation and address outstanding differences on the border is the immediate goal.”This can only happen if we ensure peace and tranquillity on the Line of Actual Control. We need to show sensitivity to each other’s concerns. At the same time, mutual interest must guide our cooperative endeavours and I am confident that this will be the case,” he added.On minority issues, he said he has mentioned this earlier. “Let me emphasise it again: the Constitution of India will be a guiding force for us and the unity and integrity of our country is our top-most priority.”All religions and communities have the same rights and it is the responsibility of his government to ensure that all Indians have equal rights and opportunities, he added.
