Mukherjee in Dhaka to enhance security, trade relations

Sagar Kulkarni

Dhaka, Feb 9 (PTI) Making the first political contact
with the new Bangladesh government, India's External Affairs
Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrived here Monday for a day-long
visit seeking Dhaka's cooperation in combating terrorism and
improving trade and investment relations.

India and Bangladesh will sign two agreements for
bilateral trade and investment promotion after Mukherjee holds
talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Dipu Moni.

"I hope to cover in all my interactions the entire gamut
of our relations including security, connectivity, trade and
investment, and other important areas," he told reporters on
arrival at the Zia International Airport in Dhaka.

Mukherjee will also hold discussions with Bangladesh Home
Minister Sahara Khatum and he will also call on Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The two sides are expected to discuss Bangladesh's
proposal for setting up of joint anti-terror mechanism to
fight the menace.

Mukherjee's visit will provide the first high-level
contact between the two countries since the Sheikh Hasina
government returned to power last month.

Soon after Hasina assumed charge, India's Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh had spoken to her and expressed keenness to
further strengthen bilateral relations.

Singh had told her that he would send Mukherjee to hold
talks with the new government.

"As a friendly neighbour, India looks forward to working
closely with the newly elected government under the leadership
of Sheikh Hasina to further strengthen ties between the
countries," Mukherjee said.

He said India remains steadfast in its commitment to
supporting the friendly people of Bangladesh and emphasised
the need for both the countries to work closely to strengthen
the multifaceted relationship for mutual benefit of the people
of the region.

The Minister was accorded a "VVIP starmark" reception
that is conventionally reserved for heads of states.

Mukherjee will unveil a model of the cyclone resistant
dwellings India would be building in the 11 villages destroyed
in the cyclone Sidr in November 2007.

Mukherjee will also lay the foundation stone for the
construction of 'Kalabhaban' in the University of Dhaka. PTI
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