Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina today emphasised that her government believes in peaceful coexistence and maintaining friendly relations with all neighbouring countries, including India. Sheikh Hasina made this statement during her discussions with Army Chief V.K. Singh who called on her at Ganobhaban in Dhaka today as part of his five day tour to Bangladesh. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said that the Prime Minister told the Indian Army Chief that such visits will help in further strengthening bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries. Describing poverty as the main impediment to development in the South Asian region, the Bangladesh Prime Minister stressed on the need to work together to alleviate poverty for overall development of the region. She also recalled with deep gratitude, the contribution of the then Indian government, its people and sacrifice of Indian military personnel during Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971. During the meeting, the Indian Army Chief also presented some rare photographs of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his visit to India in different periods. Army Chief V.K. Singh also called on Bangladesh President Zillur Rehman at Banga Bhavan in Dhaka today. During the discussions with the Army Chief, the Bangladesh President recalled the contribution of the Indian Army during the country's War of Liberation in 1971 and also appreciated the individual contribution of General V.K.Singh who had fought for the liberation of Bangladesh in Feni, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar Area, as a 2nd Lieutenant. Earlier in the morning the Army Chief started his official visit to Bangladesh by paying rich tributes to memories of martyrs of the Great War of Liberation through placing wreaths at Shikha Anirban at Dhaka Cantonment. He was later given a guard of honour by a contingent of the Bangladesh Army following which he held talks with Bangladesh Army chief General Mohammed Abdul Mubeen. General Singh’s five day visit to Bangladesh is expected to strengthen the existing friendly relations at the military level between the two countries.