We should compare what we are to lose and gain because of this deal. It is not like transport in which we may fear even of spreading AIDS in our country. It is not even bilateral export and import deal where India will take unilateral benefit, which we can't manage. It is a case of unilateral benefit for our country to get revenue between US$ 125 million and US$500 million per annum as transit fees from both India and Myanmar. While Pakistan is willing to allow gas pipeline from Iran to India, why are we indifferent in this regard, which is directly related to our country's interest?

It was reported in your newspaper that “a high level Indian delegation last week in Yangon requested the Myanmar government to finalise a route out of six alternatives all of which proposed to bypass Bangladesh. India might finally decide to bypass Bangladesh in importing gas from Myanmar since Bangladesh has been sitting idle for the last 15 months regarding a tri-nation gas pipeline.”

Why are we failing in our diplomacy in this case? Can't we isolate this special case of unilateral benefit from other bilateral issues for sake of the country?

Your paper reported “A draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) among India, Myanmar and Bangladesh was signed in February 2005 for construction of the proposed tri-nation gas pipeline to carry gas from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh territory. A tri-nation techno-commercial meeting with representations from all the three countries signed the draft MOU in Yangon.”

Your paper also quoted the latest position of our Ministry.

"We have nothing to do if India or Myanmar does not invite us to join the pipeline. We have intentions to join the pipeline but India should consider the trade deficit between the two countries and other bilateral issues," a Bangladeshi high official of the ministry of energy said.

When MOU was signed, why do we need invitation again for the deal? We must rush for the deal where country has benefit. We should give letters of invitation to both India and Myanmar indicating our willingness to consider gas pipeline through Bangladesh.

If required special delegation from Prime Minister will visit both the countries.

As a member of SAARC forum, we are discussing lots of issues with India, but failed to show our interest in cross-country gas pipeline. We may try to blame India that India wants to settle every issue in a bilateral way, which is not in favour of us. But this is a project of tri-nation pipeline. How did our ministry fail to keep track of it in 15 months? Is this a case like submarine cable connection? But here there is no scope of second chance, if India and Myanmar once decided to bypass Bangladesh.

Few days back, we all saw the US president in Indian capital. He came to make deal with India on nuclear issue. That was a deal in the interest of USA. Didn't we see Prime Minister of Bangladesh visited the Middle East recently to get some benefit for the country? If required, the Prime Minister could visit both the countries for this special deal.

Some may think of exporting gas if pipeline is there. This will not happen, as we have no surplus gas to export. We are not even sure to supply gas to TATA in an uninterrupted way. Rather in case of need, we may buy gas if pipeline is there within our land.

I like to request our Ministry concerned, including the Ministry of Finance to arrange for a high level delegation to visit both India and Myanmar to settle this deal. Please allow us to get some benefit from cross-country gas pipeline. This may reduce the balance of payment, too.