A report on Indo- Bangladesh relations states that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s upcoming visit to Dhaka provides an opportunity to take bilateral relations between the two countries to a higher trajectory and move towards a strategic partnership.

The report prepared by the Institue for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi, states that significance of strong India-Bangladesh ties goes beyond the bilateral context and good relations between India and Bangladesh will have positive influence on the region.

The report emphasises the need to settle legacy issues and reach an agreement on river water sharing. It also calls for setting up of a counter-terrorism centre in Dhaka to address border security issues. The report released on the eve of Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh states that the two sides should try to create an environment where the issue of illegal migration can be amicably dealt with.

The report recommends that the two sides should explore new areas of cooperation on climate change, science and technology, IT and communication, alongwith focusing on medicine, health and disaster management. It also calls for strentheging educational ties between the two countries.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is due to visit Bangladesh on 6th and 7th of this month.