India-Bangladesh border pact hailed

Enclaves will cease to exist, benefits will follow for residents who will choose their nationalities

Thousands living near the border of India and Bangladesh celebrated the signing of a historic agreement on Sunday that will allow them to choose their nationality after decades of stateless limbo.

Poor villagers living in border enclaves waved Bangladeshi flags, held street parades and broke down in tears after Saturday's ratification of the deal covering parts of the border along India's eastern flank.