No impropriety by Indian envoy: Bangladesh minister

October 1st, 2009 DHAKA - The Indian envoy to Bangladesh has offered to reduce the number of negative items on the bilateral trade list to facilitate commerce between the two neighbours. High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty has also mooted joint investments to boost bilateral trade between the two South Asian countries to offset the trade balance that is at present heavily tilted in New Delhi's favour.

September 19th, 2009 GUWAHATI - The Assam government Saturday alleged that Bangladesh has encroached upon 499.79 acres of Indian land, including two tea gardens, and urged New Delhi to take up the matter with Dhaka urgently. "Our records show that Bangladesh is in illegal possession of 189.06 acres in Assam's Dhubri district while the remaining is in Karimganj district," state Revenue Minister Bhumidhar Barman told journalists.

August 23rd, 2009 DHAKA - Ahead of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni's visit to India Sep 7, Dhaka wants more information on Delhi's plan to build Tipaimukh dam in Manipur state, a senior official has said. Foreign Secretary Mirajul Quayes described last month's visit to India by a parliamentary team as "useful" and said the data supplied by India was being examined by a committee of experts, New Age newspaper reported Sunday.

August 19th, 2009 DHAKA/NEW DELHI - Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni will undertake her maiden official visit to India on September 8 and is expected to discuss several bilateral issues, including border security, water and maritime boundary issues. Foreign ministry officials, however, said the details of the visit are yet to be finalised.

July 24th, 2009 DHAKA - China has expressed support for talks between Dhaka and New Delhi over the proposed construction of Tipaimukh dam in India's Manipur state. The Barak river, on which the dam is to be built, flows from China into India and then goes to Bangladesh.

July 20th, 2009 DHAKA - An Indian trade delegation visiting Dhaka has urged Bangladesh to take steps to boost bilateral trade ties between the two countries. The appeal came at a seminar on "Bangladesh-India Economic Relations" at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka, reports the Daily Star.

July 20th, 2009 DHAKA - Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty Monday alleged that 25,000 among the Bangladeshi nationals visiting India every year do not return home. Speaking at a seminar on 'Bangladesh-India Economic Relations', he claimed the number of Bangladeshis illegally staying in India would be even higher as many go unrecorded.

June 24th, 2009 DHAKA - The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has demanded immediate 'withdrawal' of the Indian high commissioner here after he allegedly called Bangladeshi water resources specialists protesting India's Tipaimukh dam project as "so called experts". The remark allegedly made by envoy Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty at a seminar in the presence of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni amounted to his interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs, the BNP parliamentary party said.

May 4th, 2009 DHAKA - Islamist militancy continues to be a threat in Bangladesh, the US ambassador to this country has said, adding 'we do have disturbing indications'. 'We do have disturbing indications.

May 3rd, 2009 DHAKA - The US government believes that Islamist militancy is still a major concern in Bangladesh, the US ambassador in Dhaka said Sunday. 'We do have disturbing indications.

May 3rd, 2009 DHAKA - New Delhi Sunday handed to Dhaka a list of suspected Indian terrorists believed to be hiding in Bangladesh, the Indian high commissioner here said. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Bangladeshi State Minister for Home Affairs Tanjim Ahmed Sohel Taj, India's Pinak Ranjan Chakravarti said: 'We have also requested the authorities to step up vigil over them especially during the ongoing polls yet to be completed in the eastern states of India.' The envoy added that a number of issues, including extradition of prisoners, came up for discussion.

April 24th, 2009 DHAKA - India's envoy to Bangladesh has met opposition leader Khaleda Zia to remove irritants caused by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's inability to meet her during a February visit. Indian High Commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty Thursday held a two-hour meeting with the former prime minister, the media reported Friday.

April 6th, 2009 KOLKATA - City-based Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Monday announced that it will invest $5 billion in Bangladesh to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) aimed at attracting investments from India. An ICC delegation, which is now touring Bangladesh, has made this offer to officials of that country, the chamber said in a statement issued here.

January 21st, 2009 DHAKA - Bangladesh and India may sign two key agreements on bilateral trade and investment promotion and protection during next month's visit by Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, a diplomat said. The trade pact in particular needs renewal as it is due to expire in March, Indian envoy here Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty told the media Wednesday after meeting Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, The Daily Star reported Thursday.

January 18th, 2009 DHAKA - A joint task force to combat terrorism in South Asia, which was proposed by Bangladesh, will top the agenda during Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee's visit here Feb 8. Although it is billed as a goodwill visit following the installation of a new government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, India would like discuss the issue of terrorism as it pertains to the entire South Asian region.