Diplomatic Correspondent :Leading foreign policy experts and political observers of the country termed the Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s Dhaka visit as ‘productive and encouraging’.Talking to The New Nation separately on Friday evening after the departure of Sushma to Delhi wrapping up a three-day visit to Dhaka, they said, “Her visit has opened up ‘a new vista’ for putting Indo-Bangladesh bi-lateral relations on ‘a newer footing.’ They said that she had also clearly addressed Bangladesh’s current problems of democracy and governance in Bangladesh stressing the need for dialogue between two major political parties-the ruling Awami League (AL) and the main opposition BNP reflecting the Modi government’s position on Indo-Bangla cooperation.”When asked on Friday, leading foreign policy expert, Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of Dhaka University said, “The Indian Foreign Minister, during her stay in Dhaka, tried clearly to state the one-month old Modi government wants to establish what it says, an ‘equitable partnership’ with all the countries of this region so that development of the area and its people is expedited.””She has given a clear and strong message that the BJP government, in its relation with Bangladesh, will not consider any person or political party but the relations will be built up with people and the country,” he said.”Sushma Swaraj, by holding meeting with Begum Khaleda Zia, has signalled the need for resolving the current problems of democracy and governance in Bangladesh and urged the two major political parties-AL and BNP to solve issues through dialogue,” Prof Imtiaz said. “We look forward to see the success of the Indian Foreign Minister’s visit to Bangladesh,” he said, adding , “It will be a great success of her visit if the leaders of the two major political parties-the AL and BNP-sit for a dialogue in near future.” Terming her visit ‘productive’ Foreign Policy analyst and Advisory Editor of The Financial Express Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said, “A positive atmosphere in Indo-Bangla relations seems to have been created by Sushma Swaraj visit.” “The two countries enjoy a large degree of cooperation and friendship, which is expected to expand by this visit,” he said adding , ” “The resolution of bilateral issues and disputes cannot be expected in the ‘good will’ visit.” Noted historian, Professor Dr Ahmed Kamal of Dhaka University expressed the hope that Sushma Swaraj had tabled a concrete proposal on sharing waters of Teesta River during discussion with the leaders of Bangladesh because ‘she came here after talking with West Bengal Chief Minister Momata Banarjee, who stalled the agreement in 2011’. He said, “The Indian Foreign Minister has given a clear picture about what will be state of Indo-Bangladesh relations during the next five years.”
