Remove visa system between India and Bangladesh: Tripura governor

Agartala: Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy has said he is in favour of doing away with the visa system between India and Bangladesh so that there is easier cross-border movement of people.

"Why this visa system between India and Bangladesh? This visa system must be removed. I would soon propose to MEA (ministry of external affairs) to remove this visa system," he said, speaking at Bangladesh's Independence Day celebrations organised by the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission here on Saturday.

"The leadership of the two countries can sit together and decide about the elimination of visa system, ensuring easy movement of people of two countries," said Roy, a former member of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national executive. 

The friendship between Bangladesh and India has strengthened to a point where visa has become unnecessary, he said.

Without naming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Roy, who was also the BJP's Bengal unit president before being appointed the Tripura governor, said: "Indian Prime Minister was keen to resolve the Teesta water dispute, but the dispute was sought to be kept active by certain quarters. This is a matter of extreme regret."

"We should not suppress the history. Depending on the reality and truth, India and Bangladesh must continue their relationship for the interest of the two countries and their people. The leadership of two countries must evolve innovative ideas for the progress of the two neighbours."

Citing the examples of German reunification and visa-free movement between India, Nepal and Bhutan, the governor said that cultural exchanges between India and Bangladesh must be increased to reinforce the upward relationship.

Singers and dancers from India and Bangladesh performed in the Independence Day and National Day celebrations held at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan here.

A get-together of India and Bangladeshi personalities was also held on Sunday.