India has assured Bangladesh that the ecological and environmental issues related to the construction of the Tipaimukh dam in Manipur would be examined jointly. On regional security, Bangladesh has frozen existing bank accounts of Indian insurgent leaders and organisations and arrested an Islamic fundamentalist who is much wanted in India.

These developments augur well for the improvement of ties between the two countries and for a general relaxation of tensions over the regional security environment. .

While a dialogue has been in progress over these and other issues in recent times, real progress occurred after the prime Ministers of both countries met at the sidelines of the recent non-aligned summit conference in Egypt.

Dr Manmohan Singh reaffirmed Indian concerns over the safe haven enjoyed by Indian insurgent leaders and organisations in Bangladesh, Mrs Hasina Wazed touched upon the possible environmental after- effects of the proposed Tipaimuk dam on the river Barak.

The situational report on security was bound to please India. Neither Arabindra Rajkhowa nor Paresh Barua, the top ULFA leaders, are believed to be in Bangladesh. There is speculation about their whereabouts. But the bank accounts of the ULFA, the NDFB, the PLA, Prepak and many other organisations operating out of Bangladesh have been frozen. This was done some years ago, when the Awami league was in power. Following the defeat of the BNP in Bangladesh polls, fundamentalists continue to lie low and for the present, remain sidelined.

Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off from information provided by a person recently arrested, police in Dhaka rounded up Mufti Sheikh Obaidullah, an Islamic terrorist wanted in India in connection with several terror attacks. Originally from Howrah district in West Bengal, Obaidullah had left home and undergone advanced arms training in Afghanistan. Settling in Bangladesh, he had specialised in training young Jehadis and sending them off on terror missions in Kashmir and other areas of India. He is also part of the international gang run by Dawood Ibrahim. It is a question of time before Indian law enforcing authorities get a chance to interrogate him in detail.

Kolkata-based observers welcome these signs of a better understanding between the two governments on the question of regional security, something that affects both countries. The BNP-led coalition had never responded to India's security concerns.

On India's side, a clear assurance was given over the construction of the Tipaimuk dam. A joint visit to the site by experts from both sides has been arranged and official talks were held. There would be more follow-up action, aimed at removing major Bangladeshi reservations and doubts about the impact of the project in the lower riparian areas of Bangladesh. It was also agreed to examine the reasons for the large trade gap between India and Bangladesh. Some concessions for Bangladesh may soon be announced. This followed after Bangladesh Foreign Minister Ms Dipu Moni raised trade and related issues. (IPA)