September 19, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 18, 1429

DHAKA, Sept 18: The authorities of Bangladesh and India have failed to make headway in minimising their differences over two major thorny issues — sovereignty over South Talpatti island and claim on exclusive economic zones in the

Bay of Bengal, Dhaka-based national dailies reported on Thursday.

Officials of the two countries held a three day of talks over the maritime dispute 28 years after it was held last in 1980. The meeting concluded on Wednesday.

“Bangladesh and India have differences of opinion on the mid-flow of the Hariabhanga, a border river, which will be considered the borderline of the two next-door neighbours,” Additional Foreign Secretary M. A. K. Mahmood was quoted as having said here at the end of the talks.

The leader of the Indian team, B.R. Rao, said that it was a technical meeting and more discussions would follow. “We had a wonderful discussion. We discussed various options and methodologies (of delimitation of the maritime boundary),” Mr Rao said.

However, the two sides evaded a formal joint press briefing which is the norm after crucial or high-level talks between countries.