Dhaka, July 20 (IANS) Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman Monday said that the unresolved issues with India must be settled amicably through bilateral negotiations.
He made no mention of the issues, including the current protests here over India’s plan to construct a dam on Barak river, but emphasised “common historical ties and cultural heritage” of the two South Asian neighbours as the binding force.

He utilised the presence of the visiting former Indian president, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, to solemnly recall the immense contributions made by India during the Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, Star Online reported.

“I believe, as the goodwill ambassador, you (Dr Kalam) would carry our wishes to the brotherly people of India,” he said.

Bangladesh and India have disputes on many bilateral issues, including sharing waters of common rivers, proposed construction of the Tipaimukh Dam across the common river Barak in India, land border management, and sea boundary demarcation.

“I firmly believe the pending unsolved issues between the two countries would be solved through dialogue and negotiations,” Zillur Rahman said while addressing the convocation of the University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS).

Kalam, India’s 11th president and a reputed technocrat, gave a special lecture on the occasion.

Welcoming Kalam, Zillur Rahman said he is well known to Bangladeshi people who received him with the highest esteem and regards.

“We have fraternal relations between Bangladesh and India, tied together by our common historical and cultural heritage.”

Describing his presence as a unique milestone both for the two peoples and the UITS, Zillur Rahman said as the president, Kalam had played a commendable role in developing peace, prosperity and stability in South Asia.

“I fervently hope that the entire mankind, particularly the people of this region, would be benefited through your knowledge and wisdom which is dedicated to the humanity,” he said of the scholarly scientist-turned-public-figure of India.