New Delhi, June 13
India and Bangladesh today finalised the terms of reference for two Joint Boundary Working Groups (JBWGs) paving the way for the resolution of all pending issues on the over 4000-km common border, including the demarcation of 6.5 km of the undemarcated border and exchange of enclaves and adversely possessed territories.

Both sides agreed that JBWGs would complete their work and submit final reports to respective Foreign Secretaries by April next, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said here briefing media about the outcome of two-day official-level talks between the two countries.

Both sides agreed that the two JBWGs would now meet in Dhaka perferably in the first week of July, the spokesperson said.

In a joint press statement, read out to the media by the spokesperson, both sides reiterated their commitment to the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and, consistent with its provisions, emphasised that pending its implementation by mutual agreement, a status quo would be maintained and peaceful conditions should prevail along the border.

The two JBWGs were set up during the meeting of the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries in December last year with a view to addressing the pending issues in a focused and systematic manner. In February this year India had forwarded a draft of terms of reference for the two JBWGs.

The discussions during the two days focused on early operationalisation of the two JBWGs, the first on the border demarcation and the second on enclaves and adversely possessed territories.

The spokesperson further stated that the meeting took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

Both sides acknowledged the joint efforts by the survey authorities of the two countries in steadily demarcating the boundary with only about 6.5 km remaining to be demarcated, while over 4000-km had already been demarcated.

The Bangladesh delegation, led by Joint Secretary (Political) in the Ministry of Home Affairs Mohammad Jainbul Huq, included representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Land, Water Resources, Directorate of Land Records & Survey, the Bangladesh Rifles and representatives of the Bangladesh High Commission here.