May 29, 2002	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 16,1423

DHAKA, May 28: Bangladesh’s military intelligence has strongly opposed the proposal for providing transit or trans-shipment facility to the Northeastern states of India as it feared it would create problems in the country’s defence, socioeconomic and geopolitical fields.

This was quoted by Dhaka’s “Financial Express,” newspaper in its lead story today. The intelligence agency — the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence(DGFI) — issued the statement amid growing pressure on Dhaka from New Delhi to provide transit facilities for the transportation of goods across Bangladeshi territory.

The DGFI did not explain how the transshipment facility could affect the country’s defence situation but said that it would only benefit the northeastern Indian state of Tripura in terms of trade through the country.

The report stated that the issue of trade between the two countries featured prominently during last month’s trade talks in Dhaka “that led to a walk by Bangladesh team, alleging deviation from the core issues.”

India has proposed another round of bilateral trade talks in New Delhi next month but Dhaka is yet to confirm its participation.