Five agreements including one on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters will be signed during the three day visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. The other agreements include transfer of sentenced persons, combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking, power generation and on a cultural exchange programme.<br/>Briefing reporters in New Delhi , the Foreign Secretary, Mrs. Nirupama Rao said that the visit promises to be a path breaking one, giving the two countries a historic opportunity to build a new and a forward looking relationship. She said, India is committed to providing substantial assistance to Bangladesh to become a major partner in its economic development. Mrs. Rao said, New Delhi is addressing an entire range of developmental issues to Bangladesh. This includes, development of rail infrastructure, transportation, dredging, power grid inter-connectivity, human resource development and investment in trade. The Foreign Secretary said, India is keen to revive the physical and emotional links with Bangladesh which remained disrupted since its independence and are also seeking their understanding and cooperation on security and connectivity needs.<br/>Our correspondent reports that during her stay in the capital, Mrs. Hasina will hold discussions with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at Hyderabad House tomorrow evening. She will call on the President and exchange views with the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the UPA Chairperson, apart from several other Union Ministers on a host of issues to give a new impetus to the relations between the two countries. Mrs. Hasina will be conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi prize for peace, disarmament and development by the President, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday. She will also hold discussions with the magnets of Industry before leaving for Dhaka on Wednesday. Mrs. Hasina left Dhaka for New Delhi this evening and is expected to reach later tonight.
News On AIR | January 10, 2010 9:12 PM
India to sign 5 agreements with Bangladesh