Khurshid optimistic about boundary agreement with Bangladesh

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today expressed hope that the government will be able to win over parties opposing a comprehensive land boundary settlement with Bangladesh.
"I am not dejected, disappointed or distressed. The process is on," he said about the failure to introduce the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) constitutional amendment bill in Rajya Sabha amid protests by the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and Trinamool Congress.
"See, the decision to show consensus could not be taken. But in fairness to the BJP, there is, at least to this stage, consensus with the BJP," he told reporters here ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting.

"Despite its own perceived difficulties, there has been consensus. Problems came from a very small group of MPs from Trinamool but then they are more affected because it concerns them immediately," he said.
The LBA agreement seeks the transfer of 111 Indian enclaves to Bangladesh and 51 enclaves to India. Through the swap of adversely possessed land, India will gain 700 acres.
The proposed deal includes demarcation of 6.5-km of undemarcated boundary.

Khurshid acknowledged it was "irksome" that the LBA could not be finalised now but said it was fair that the political parties expected more consultations.
"At the end of the day, I did credit them for saying let's sit and talk. But now the issue is only agreeing to talk rather than talking to agree. We are agreeing to talk," he said.

Khurshid said he would be very happy to meet West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and talk to her on the issue.