Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia, who is also the chairperson of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), values ties with SAARC member-state Nepal and is keen to further develop bilateral cooperation. She also supports the ongoing peace process between the government and the Maoists. The PM welcomed the latest developments in Nepal during her meeting here the other day with Nepal’s deputy prime minister Amik Sherchan, who is also in charge of the health and population ministry. A conference of the regional health ministers and 59th session of the WHO regional committee brought Sherchan to Dhaka.

Zia discussed a number of issues with Sherchan, including bilateral cooperation and regional matters, particularly those pertaining to SAARC. Sherchan sought cooperation from Dhaka on several areas and told the prime minister that landlocked Nepal could use Mongla sea port and “Banglabandh” land port as its outlets. Zia also assured her country’s cooperation in developing Nepal’s pharmaceutical sector and said that Bangladesh was also considering increasing quota for medical students from the SAARC countries.

Zia described Dhaka-Kathmandu ties as “excellent” and stressed that relations could be further developed by enhancing cooperation in areas like water management and trade. She emphasised the need for cooperation among the three neighbouring countries on utilisation of water resources. The Bangladeshi PM said her country fully supports the strengthening of democratic system and the peace process in Nepal.

Meanwhile, the current talks between Girija Prasad Koirala’s government and the Maoists on a variety of issues, including the upcoming elections, drafting of a new constitution and the fate of the monarchy, are being watched in Bangladesh with great interest. Nepal was a major item in the Bangladeshi media during the mass agitation against absolute rule of King Gyanendra. The developments in the current phase are also receiving prominence in the media and other circles as impression persists here that the country has still a bumpy road ahead. However, the press and others often praise the unity during the anti-King stir between the seven-party alliance and the Maoists. The feeling in Bangladesh is that without that unity, success of the movement was uncertain.

The local newspapers have lauded the moves of the government and parliament on issues like drastically curbing the powers of monarchy and also efforts to consolidate democratic institutions. However, eyes are also cast on the upcoming developments, particularly those relating to the fate of the Throne and the chances of the Maoists joining the government. The possible undesirable rupture between the government and the Maoists on sensitive matters like the status of Maoists and their arms as well as the attitude of the troops in the future also figure in varying degrees of interpretations. Ba-ngladeshis are well-wishers of Nepal and hope it overcomes the difficult phase, which looks like a clear possibility unless things take an unexpected bad turn.

Chowdhury, a journalist, writes for THT from Dhaka