NEW DELHI, Aug. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- India and Bangladesh settled their dispute over a border river construction project after a meeting Sunday at Malda of west India's West Bengal Pradesh, Indo-Asian News Service reported.

    "The dispute has been amicably resolved and we agreed to defuse tension. There is no problem anymore," said O.P. Gaur, India's Border Security Force (BSF) deputy inspector general.

    Gaur led the Indian side at the flag meeting at Malda while Reza Sarvar, commander of the Bangladesh Rifles, headed his country's team.

    The river construction project sparked heavy fire exchanges between Indian and Bangladeshi border guards Friday and Saturday. At least two Indian civilians were injured in the firing Saturday.

    India had opposed construction of a concrete structure on the bank of the Mahananda River by Bangladesh, claiming that the project was within 150 meters of the zero line or actual border where no permanent structures were allowed.

    In return, Bangladesh interfered with the building of an embankment on the Indian side, which was about 200 meters from the zero line.

    Gaur said the two sides agreed at the meeting that India would continue building embankment work but Bangladesh would not put up the concrete structure.

    India also proposed a joint effort with Bangladesh after the monsoons to prevent erosion.

    The Mahananda River has been eroding its banks on both sides of the border, threatening Indian and Bangladeshi border posts and the wire fence. Enditem