Dhaka, Dec 17 (IANS) The prime ministers of Bangladesh and India are expected to meet in New Delhi Jan 11 to sign five agreements and discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, officials here said.
Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Manmohan Singh were to meet Saturday. But the visit, Hasina’s first since she took office in January, was postponed as both the premiers are currently busy at the climate conference in Copenhagen.
Foreign ministry officials of Bangladesh and India are working to sort out many issues ahead of the meeting now likely to take place in Hyderabad House in New Delhi Jan 11, The Daily Star said Thursday.
Hasina may arrive in New Delhi on the evening of Jan 10, after participating in a ceremony to commemorate her father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s homecoming after being released from a Pakistani jail Jan 10, 1972.
As the Awami League-led grand alliance in Bangladesh and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance in India enjoy positive vibes, diplomatic sources say people of both the countries are pinning high hopes on opening a new chapter in India-Bangla relationship.
‘And they expect the breaking of fresh grounds in not-so-warm ties of past several years and creation of a right atmosphere for resolving long-standing issues between the two next-door neighbours,’ the newspaper observed.
Hasina’s visit comes three years after the visit of her political rival, Begum Khaleda Zia, who had held bilateral talks in New Delhi in March 2006.
The final date of the visit is likely to be formally announced after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return from Copenhagen Dec 21.
‘Seeking warmer relations and to resolve long-standing issues with the world’s largest democracy, Hasina will be sending signals to seize the opportunity of engaging and improving the relationship,’ the newspaper said.
Bangladesh will attach the highest importance to the issues of trade balance being heavily tilted towards India and the issue of sharing of waters of common river systems.
Bangladeshi officials said the issue of security is likely to dominate the discussion and officials of both countries have so far finalised three deals related to security.
The mutual legal assistance on criminal matters, extradition treaty; a pact on transfer of sentenced people; and one on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking are the three bilateral agreements being finalised.
Hasina is expected to call on UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani.
