RS Adopts Constitution Amendment Bill To Facilitate Swapping Of Enclaves Between India-Bangladesh

06 May, New Delhi

The Rajya Sabha Wednesday unanimously adopted the Constitution Amendment Bill to facilitate the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh.

Terming the support given by members in the passage of the Bill as historic, External Affairs Minister Sushama Swaraj said exchange of enclaves between the two countries will not result in the shrinkage of Indian territory.

Also, there will be no demographic change as people on both sides will have the choice of deciding their nationality.

Earlier, piloting the Bill, Mrs Swaraj said she had held consultations with the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya on the Bill.

As per the 1974 agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka, 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladesh enclaves in India will be exchanged.

Earlier today, while moving the Constitution (One Hundred and Nineteenth Amendment ) Bill 2013, External Affairs Minister Sushama Swaraj expressed the hope that the passage of this Bill will send signals to other countries that India wants cordial relations with its neighbours.