New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) India said Wednesday it was committed to implementing the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh and the government was holding talks with political parties for a consensus.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid was in touch with political parties on the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) on swapping of territories.
He said, based on the outcome of the discussions and consultations with political parties, “the intention is to try and see if we can achieve domestic consensus that will enable passage of this important legislation”.
The union cabinet had in February approved the draft of the bill for implementing the LBA of 1974 and the protocol to it inked in 2011.
The swap envisages the transfer of 111 enclaves with an area of 17,160.63 acres to Bangladesh while 51 enclaves with an area of 7,110.02 acres will be transferred to India.
A 6.1 km undefined border – of the over 4,000-km boundary – stretch will be demarcated with the bill’s passage.
The Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill, 2013 for implementation of the LBA is yet to be introduced in the monsoon session of parliament.
