Hasina seeks India's cooperation in solving problems

Agartala (Tripura, India), Jan 12 (PTI) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon India to come forward with a more "liberal attitude" to solve common problems between the two countries. Bangladesh wants a cordial relations with its neighbours to jointly solve their common problems, she told a business meeting of the two countries in Agartala, capital of the northeast Indian state of Tripura sharing border with Bangladesh, on Wednesday. "Poverty is common enemy of both the countries and it can be fought if the two countries come forward with true neighbourly spirit. Poverty can be alleviated up to some extent if the two countries cooperate each other, create infrastructure for trade and commerce, develop better communication system and enhance trade," she said. "Many of our problems were solved when the prime ministers of the two countries visited each other and agreed to bilateral issues. We have solved many problems but many issues still remained unresolved which needs to be addressed properly," she said. According to Hasina, "Some issues like dispute of demarcation of land between the two countries were solved and we are discussing regarding the sharing of water and I hope India would come forward with more liberal attitude to solve the problem." More infrastructure should be built to develop communication between the two countries, she said, adding Bangladesh was interested to extend communication through India with Nepal and Bhutan because her country wants to provide facilities to those countries for using Chittagong and Mongla ports. Hasina said Bangladesh has extended facilities to Tripura for transhipping goods from Kolkata via Ashuganj port and Agartala-Akhura rail link was in progress which would create lot of opportunities for the business communities of both the countries. Hasina also congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allowing many Bangladeshi goods without imposing tax. "There is huge trade imbalance between Bangladesh and India. But I congratulate Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for allowing many Bangladeshi goods without imposing tax", she said. Hasina appealed to the Indian investors to invest more in the neighbouring country and assured that Bangladesh would create more opportunities and adopt more liberal attitude towards the Indian investors. India's HRD Minister Kapil Sibal in his remarks said, "If Bangladesh wants we can provide more opportunities to the students of Bangladesh for their studies in India." Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and Hasina both acknowledged the help and cooperation extended by the people of Tripura during the liberation war. "The people of Tripura extended their utmost help and cooperation to the people of Bangladesh by giving them food and shelter when they took shelter in the state as refugees during the liberation war in 1971. We remember them with gratitude", Hasina said. Hasina is in Tripura on a two-day visit. PTI