Friday, February 18 2005 15:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Bangladesh has said it is making efforts to resolve all "unsettled" issues, including the boundary dispute with India through negotiations.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Government "is making all-out efforts to resolve all unsettled issues with India through negotiations...I hope dialogues and exchanging views with members of civil society of both countries along with Government initiatives will play a constructive role to this end," Foreign Minister Morshed Khan told the Parliament yesterday (Feb 17, 2005).

Unresolved issues between the two countries include the 6.5 km boundary demarcation, handing over of 'chhitmahals' or enclaves and ratification of the 1974 Indira-Mujib Agreement by India, Khan said.

A working group has already presented its recommendations for consideration of the Government and a decision was expected at an inter-ministerial meeting, he said.

On the border situation, which witnesses cross-border firing, Khan said a "tension-free and peaceful border was the prerequisite for friendly bilateral ties".

"We have requested the Government of India to take appropriate measures regarding border killings, abductions and harassment of Bangladeshi citizens by the Border Security Force (BSF)," Khan said.