The foreign ministers of Bangladesh and India would hold talks in Dhaka this morning to prepare the ground for the visit of Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in September.
Reading out a written statement to reporters, Indian foreign minister SM Krishna, said on arrival in Dhaka Wednesday afternoon, 'I wish to discuss the scope for a broader cooperation framework which will significantly improve the livelihood of our peoples.'
Krishna, who flew in a special flight of Indian Air Force took no question from the reporters. He is leading a 12-member Indian delegation.
Krishna flew to Dhaka seven days after Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh drew widespread criticism in both Bangladesh and India for his remarks on domestic politics in Bangladesh. Speaking to a group of Indian editors, Singh had said, among other things, 'a political landscape in Bangladesh can change at anytime.'
Singh's remarks, posted on the official website of the India prime minister, were removed following sharp criticism they drew in both the countries.
Later, Singh spoke to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on phone apparently to clarify his remarks.
In his statement, Krishna said that he would pursue a 'broader cooperation framework' with Bangladesh.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni received Krishna as at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
At the talks, the two sides are expected to discuss the entire range of bilateral issues including sharing the waters of common rivers, cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity, power, boundary demarcation, border management, security, culture, education and people-to-people contact, et cetera, said a foreign ministry press release.
Krishna's airport statement said that the Bangladesh-India bilateral relations 'are passing though the best phase in recent times with a number of new and forward looking initiatives taken by the leadership of two countries' following the last year's visit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
It said, 'We believe that a prosperous, stable and democratic Bangladesh is in the interest of both the countries and the entire region.'
It said, 'We are determined to continue to build upon the stronger bonds of cooperation and trust based on the strong foundations of shared history and culture.'
The statement said, 'I am happy to mention that the prime minister of India , Dr Manmohan Singh, is looking forward to his visit to Bangladesh later this year.'
Dipu Moni said she looked forward to have substantive discussions at the talks on the progress on decisions taken by the two sides during the visit of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010.
She described Krishna's visit to Dhaka as 'significant.'
Shortly after his arrival the Indian minister went to Savar and laid wreaths at the National Memorial commemorating the martyrs of the War of Independence.
He called on finance minister AMA Muhith at his office at the Economic Relations Division.
Krishna met senior editors of print and electronic media at a city hotel in the evening.
The two foreign ministers would hold a joint news conference this afternoon after their formal talks.
Krishna is scheduled to call on president Zillur Rahman and prime minister Sheikh Hasina today and the leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia tomorrow.
He is scheduled to unveil the plaque of an auditorium and rehearsal centre at the theatre department of Dhaka University.
He would visit the Bangabandhu Museum in Dhanmondi.
Krishna would take part at a discussion on Bangladesh-India relations at the Bangladesh International Institute of Strategic Studies.
Krishna leaves Dhaka Friday.
Source : New Age
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