Dhaka asks India, Pak to resolve tensions peacefully

DHAKA: Bangladesh, on Sunday, asked New Delhi and Islamabad to resolve tensions generated in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks through intensified cooperation, saying that the recent incidents should not "negatively impact their relations".

"Terrorists must be identified and punished to deter recurrences. But, there is no reason for conflicts between States for this reason," foreign adviser of the interim government, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in a statement, referring to the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan following the November 26 terror strikes on Mumbai.

He said that the need for understanding and cooperation, in fact was "greater now than ever before" for the region.

"I have every confidence that the States in South Asia will cooperate with one another to address this issue that cannot be allowed to negatively impact the relationships among the nations of the region," Chowdhury said.

He said that peace was needed in South Asia to bring about welfare of the people of the region, which will benefit all.

"We have too much at stake," he said.