We’ve a broad mind, says FM over Feni River water

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said Bangladesh has demonstrated its broadmindedness allowing India to use water from the Feni River for the drinking purpose of the people of Sabroom, Tripura.

"We're giving water for a town having only 6,000 people. Through sharing this water, we've made India understand that we've a broad mind. At the same time, we've kept them accountable," he said brushing aside the misinformation about Feni River water sharing and LPG export to India after its import.

He made the remarks while talking to journalists at Osmani International Airport.

Dr Momen said killings along the Bangladesh-India border have significantly come down in recent years with three deaths being recorded last year.

He mentioned that a total of 166 people had been killed along the Bangladesh-India border in 2003and those being killed are mostly involved in smugglings.

The Foreign Minister laid emphasis on being more responsible instead of shifting blame to India squarely.

He also said those killed along the Bangladesh-India border tried to enter India illegally.  

On Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) export to India, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is not going to sell natural gas but will export LPG after its import and process. "It's good news for Bangladesh. We've got a new market."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of effective border management for ensuring a tranquil, stable and crime free border.

Towards this goal, the two leaders on October 5 directed their respective border forces to complete border fencing at all pending sectors at the International Border between both the countries at the earliest.

Both leaders also agreed that the loss of civilian lives at the border is a matter of concern and directed the border forces concerned to enhance coordinated measures to work toward bringing such border incidents down to a zero level.