India fails to appreciate the difficulties and peculiar problems of small neighbours like Bangladesh. India is occupying the island of Talpatti by sheer force. She is trying time and again (defying all diplomatic norms) to push Indian nationals (alleging them to be Bangladeshi) into Bangladesh territory. Her arbitrary river-linking plan, if it is ever materialised, will certainly deprive Bangladesh of a huge quantity of due river water. Such an action will not only desertify a large part of southern Bangladesh, it will also compel Bangladesh to revise its entire planning strategy. How can Bangladesh develop a closer relationship with India if the latter continues to ignore these problems of Bangladesh, though we gratefully remember the contribution of India in our achieving independence.

In fact, Saarc can hardly make progress so long as India refuses to discuss bilateral issues in this regional forum. On different pretexts India does not solve the bilateral issues with Bangladesh because India knows well that Bangladesh can hardly pressurise India to agree to solve these matters. On the other hand, she never hesitates to pressurise Bangladesh to agree to proposals advantageous to her. Economically, the people of Bangladesh may be depressed, but their mental strength is tremendous. They have proved it repeatedly during the natural calamities. The Indian attitude of keeping Bangladesh in continuous state of dependence will certainly prompt the people of Bangladesh to find new ways and means to prosper without any help or assistance from India, no matter what may be the cost.

In regard to Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, it has been proved beyond any amount of doubt that the basis of a state can never be mere religious sentiment. The most important basis of a state is mutual respect and trust among its people. Such feeling could not be developed among the common men and women in Pakistan from 1947 to 1971. The then leaders of Muslim League (the party in power until 1958) were not true leaders of the people. Thus, the people's interest could never become their prime concern. To them, the philosophy of Pakistan was more important. Because of thirteen long years of military rule (1958-1971) democracy could not be developed. In fact, only India-phobia kept Pakistan together until 1971.

Now both Bangladesh and Pakistan are in need of trade expansion for their own benefit. During the Pakistani rule, Pakistani planners concentrated on developing inter-wing (East and West Pakistan) trade. Among the major export items from East Pakistan were raw jute, jute goods, writing paper, newsprint, tea, betel leaves, and betel nuts. Main items of export from West Pakistan were raw cotton, cotton manufactures, light engineering goods, salt, and fruits (both fresh and dried).

In recent times it appears that both Bangladeshi and Pakistani traders are showing greater interest in developing closer trade links between their countries. This is because of their growing need for expanding markets. It may be pointed out in this respect about Bangladesh's looking toward the East, apparently because of failure to achieve success at reducing the trade gap with India to an acceptable level. Already some appreciable actions have been taken toward that direction. Under the circumstances, it may be advisable for exploring closer trade relations also with Pakistan, a member of Saarc because of the following considerations:

(a) It can be done much more quickly due to strong need felt by both;

(b) If joint ventures can be developed in the textile sector it may help us upgrade the sector and expand our market;

(c) Apparently there is a good demand for Bangladeshi products such as tea, betel leaves, betel nuts, fertilizer, melamine, and ceramic wares in Pakistan. Through more participation in each other's trade and industrial fairs and desk research the actual demand may further be assessed.

Despite a good prospect for developing close trade link the following points must be carefully considered:

(i) How long Pervez Musharraf can continue to remain anti-Taliban and control the Pakistani Islamic fundamentalists? Closer trade links means increase in interaction between Bangladeshi and Pakistani traders, such interaction may also encourage Bangladeshi fundamentalists to increase their interaction. Such a situation is not acceptable to the people of Bangladesh;

(ii) In developing shipping facilities between the two countries cooperation is needed from other concerned members of Saarc, such as India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka; and

(iii) Whether free trade agreement between these countries should precede any special trade or industrial agreement.

The war of liberation ended 35 years ago. Yet it would not be easy for us to forget the events of 1971. The difference between Bangladesh and Pakistan is that Bangladesh is a democratic country in which people's interests or sentiments cannot be ignored.

In Pakistan, on the other hand, people are not supreme. It is the military dictator and the armed forces which are most powerful. However, it may be assumed without much difficulty that limited interaction with Pakistani traders in the interest of trade only will be acceptable to the people of Bangladesh because of the overriding need for trade expansion.

ABMS Zahur is a retired Joint Secretary.