Bangladesh observes Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's state visit to India in the next week as a huge Confidence-Building Measure (CBM) designed to give a fill-up to the bilateral ties between the two neighbours through addressing all major irritants. Dhaka is expecting a positive outcome of the summit meeting between Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her counterpart Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on March 21 that would look into each other's concern and ways of expanding trade and economic cooperation. Talking to the UNB, officials in the city said the Prime Minister is going to New Delhi with a positive mind and would hold talks with her Indian counterpart on bilateral issues freely and frankly. Bangladesh hopes that the Khaleda-Manmohan meet would give positive directions in resolving the longstanding issues like the huge trade gap, quick accord on sharing the waters of common rivers, including the Teesta, and maintaining a peaceful border. The officials expressed the hope that the Indian leadership would give precise assurances that New Delhi would not go for implementing any projects like river-linking or Tipaimukh barrage that would be detrimental to Bangladesh's interests. The official also said that India would quickly ratify the Mujib-Indira Land Boundary Agreement, and he stressed the need for demarcating the 6.5-kilometre stretch of undemarcated boundary. In connection with Indian concern over anti-Indian insurgent camps within Bangladesh territories, he said these oft-repeated allegations never proved correct as no such camp could be located. The official noted that the issue of security concern remained with Bangladesh too in the wake of anti-Bangladesh campaign by Banga Sena and Swadhin Bangabhumi Andolon, which also pose 'threat to the sovereignty of Bangladesh'. On the over US$ 1.5 billion trade imbalance with India, the official said being a large economy India could take practical steps removing non-tariff and para-tariff barriers to allow more Bangladeshi goods duty-free to the Indian market as a step to reduce this yawning gap.
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