New Indian envoy wants mutually acceptable solutions

The newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, has said he will try to find mutually acceptable solutions to every unresolved issue his country has with Bangladesh.

The Indian envoy was speaking at India House in Gulshan on Thursday evening after presenting his credentials to President Abdul Hamid.

Responding to a question regarding Teesta water sharing, the new Indian envoy said: “On something like that the message that I bring, you will have to let me pass that to the leadership first. I don’t think the leadership would like it in the newspapers first.” 

“But what I can tell you is that I have come here with a clear intention and a clear mandate from my leadership to work as hard as I can to ensure that on every unresolved issue we find mutually acceptable solutions. What those are, I am afraid you will have to wait and see,” he added.

Regarding border killings, the new Indian high commissioner said he would expend his heartiest efforts in this regard.

“It’s not a simple solution, but it’s an important solution which we must all try to find together,” said Doraiswami.

He also motioned: “Nobody wants to justify killing, and fundamentally it’s a law and order problem. I understand the sentiment and I will certainly work as hard as possible with everyone concerned on the Indian side and seek co-operation from the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) to try and ensure that the excellent relationship of the two forces can be developed and find a solution that is reflected and understood from the both sides.” 

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Before the question-answer session, the Indian High Commissioner read out a written speech. 

A former journalist, Doraiswami said: “Friends from the media, thank you for your presence here today. It is an honor and a privilege to meet you immediately after I presented Letters of Credence to His Excellency the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,”

Seeking support and friendship from Bangladesh, he said: “Bangladesh is, was and will always be a very special partner of India.” 

He said: “The origin of our partnership is based on respect. We deeply admire and respect the spirit of the Bangladeshi people.” 

The Indian high commissioner also praised Bangladesh for the remarkable improvements in various sectors under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

He also paid tribute to Bangabandhu and said: “My humble and heartfelt tribute to the luminous leadership of Bangabandhu, visiting the deeply moving museum to his memory at Dhanmondi directly on arrival from the land border at Akhaura. And I am going to Savar tomorrow to pay respects to all the martyrs of Bangladesh.”

Vikram Doraiswami said: “My colleagues and I will spare no effort to promote this partnership at all levels. We will also be the best possible advocates for this partnership with all agencies and entities, on both sides.” 

“This mandate reflects the approach of our government, where fraternal ties with Bangladesh is one of our highest priorities. This was why, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, our Foreign Secretary selected Bangladesh as the destination for his first visit after the suspension of most international travel.”

Regarding the air bubble, he said: “We are committed, in that context, to deliver on a special Air Bubble arrangement to resume aviation very soon.”

Regarding Covid-19, the Indian high commissioner said: “We are also committed to work jointly to tackle Covid-19.”