B'desh, India discuss Krishna's upcoming visit

From Anisur Rahman
Dhaka/New Delhi, Jul 3 (PTI) Senior diplomats of India
and Bangladesh met in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss External
Affairs Minister S M Krishna's upcoming visit to the country,
even as both sides sought to play down the reported comments
of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"I don't think there is any necessity to to issue a
statement on the reported remarks (of PM Singh) after
clarification made by Indian External Affairs Ministry on the
matter," Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes told PTI.
The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary however said, that
Indian High Commissioner Rajit Mitter met him Sunday under a
fixed schedule to discuss the upcoming visit of Indian
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna.
Asked if the issue of Singh's comments came up during
the discussion with Mitter, he said, "I'm neither confirming
nor rejecting, but we discussed in detail the preparation of
planned visit of Minister Krishna."
In New Delhi, an official spokesperson in the MEA
termed as "speculative" reports of Mitter being summoned. "Our
High Commissioner will be meeting the Foreign Secretary to
discuss the visit," the spokesperson said.
Krishna is scheduled to pay a three-day visit to
Bangladesh beginning July 6, during which he is expected to
raise key regional and bilateral issues with the leadership of
that country. Meanwhile, Indian High Commission in Dhaka said,"
These attributed remarks (of Prime Minister Singh) were by no
means intended to be judgmental. The Prime Minister and his
Government and the people of India have the greatest affection
for the people of Bangladesh and hold our relations with
Bangladesh to be of the highest importance."
India recognises the stability of the democratically
elected Government and is committed to the non-interference in
the internal affairs of sovereign states, it said.
"In recent years, ties between India and Bangladesh
have seen exceptional heights with close cooperation in a wide
range of areas. The focus on both sides has been development
cooperation, poverty alleviation, capacity building and
education.
It is in this context that the External Affairs
Minister of India is undertaking an official visit to
Bangladesh. We are fully committed to our bilateral
relationship with the people and the Government of
Bangladesh," the statement added.