Ahead of his Dhaka visit on June 6-7, 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.
He made the observation in an interview with Raj Chengappa, Editor-in-Chief of the Tribune Group of Newspapers, published on Saturday.
The newspaper wanted to know from the Indian premier whether there will be also a deal on the sharing of Teesta waters during his Dhaka visit.
Modi, however, did not give any direct answer about the long-pending Teesta water sharing deal.
“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 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.”
The Indian prime minister also 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.”
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.”
“Creating a more positive environment to expand economic cooperation and address outstanding differences on the border is the immediate goal,” said Modi.
“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.
