January 10, 2009 - Statement by Foreign Secretary of India on the visit of Her Excellency Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to India |
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Her Excellency Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina is arriving in Delhi tonight on a state visit. During her visit, apart from her call on Hon’ble President of India, she will be meeting with Prime Minister, who will also host a banquet in her honour. She will be conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament And Development for 2009 on 12th january at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh will also be addressing a business event organised by our apex business chambers. She will be visiting Ajmer on 13th January and leave for Dhaka the same day.
The visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh promises to be a path-breaking one and gives both countries a historic opportunity to build a new and forward looking relationship. India is committed to working with the government of Bangladesh to build on our historical and traditionally close links and open new vistas in our bilateral relations.
India remains committed to provide substantial assistance to Bangladesh to become a major partner in its economic development. We are addressing an entire range of developmental issues of direct interest to Bangladesh including railway infrastructure, transportation, dredging, power grid interconnectivity, human resource development and investment and trade. Bangladesh has welcomed our decision to provide it transit facilities to Nepal and Bhutan. We seek to revive those physical and emotional links which remain disrupted since independence. We will also seek their understanding and cooperation on our security and connectivity needs.
Five agreements would be signed during the visit including on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons, combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking, power cooperation and a cultural exchange programme.
We are confident that this visit would serve to underline that strong India-Bangladesh relations are vital, not just for both our countries, but for the entire region and the international community.
Thank you.
New Delhi
January 10, 2010
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