India is ready to provide assistance with regard to holding next general election scheduled to be held at the end of next year or early 2019 if a request is made by Bangladesh, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla said yesterday. “Our approach is not to tell what you need. You tell us what you need. We said after the Holy Artisan Bakery terrorist incident that we will be happy to provide whatever is required. Similarly, for election, Bangladesh will have to indicate the requirements. We are happy to do what it takes. But, the request has to come from Bangladesh,” he said in response to a question at the ‘DCAB Talk’ organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at the National Press Club when asked what assistance India will provide in connection with the general election in Bangladesh.
When asked if the much-talked about Teesta water sharing agreement would be signed before the next general election in Bangladesh, the high commissioner categorically said that there is no connection between the polls and the signing of the deal.
“We’re trying hard to keep ourselves away from your domestic issues,” he said.
Referring to the statement made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Prime Minister Hasina’s trip to India last month, Shringla said the Indian government is trying to conclude the deals as soon as possible.
Shringla, flanked by DCAB President Rezaul Karim and general secretary Pantho Rahman, talked in length almost all the bilateral aspects of the relationship between the two countries, including sharing of waters of common rivers, border killings, line of credit, maritime cooperation, energy cooperation, controversial Rampal power plant, connectivity, use of Chittagong and Mongla ports, reestablishment of rail links existed before 1965, visa regime, people to people contact, Ganges barrage, and trade and investment.
About the border killings, he mentioned that the deaths along the border have come down over the years and said that the endeavour is to bring down to zero. “Every death is too much,” he added.
The envoy said that sometimes members of their border security force are forced to use lethal measures when their lives are at risk
due to the criminal activities.
But, he said that the killing of Felani, a Bangladeshi girl who was killed by BSF in January, 2011 was not justified.
Shringla said that it is good news for its neighbours if Bangladesh does well and that India invests in Bangladesh for its own benefits.
On a question regarding the controversial Rampal project, he said it is up to Bangladesh to decide where to set up the plant.  
To another question, Shringla said that the visa regime has been significantly simplified and that ultimately India would arrange on-arrival e-visa for Bangladeshis after taking care of the capacity issues at the Indian immigration points.
Last year, 15 lakh people visited India, he informed. To a question, Shringla said that in Bangladesh he feels as safe as in India.
No country in the world is immune to terrorism and Bangladeshi efforts to combat the menace are praiseworthy, he said. On India’s position on Rohingya crisis, the high commissioner said that New Delhi is in favour of a proper solution. About the future of the relationship between Dhaka and Delhi, he said, “There are no limits. Opportunities are endless. If our neighbour lives peacefully, it’s good for us.” Shringla also said that there will always be challenges in the relationship between the two neighbours and both the countries should move ahead overcoming the challenges.