India, Bangla review ties; focus on Hasina visit in December

Anisur Rahman
Dhaka, Nov 14 (PTI) Seeking to consolidate bilateral
ties, India and Bangladesh Saturday reviewed the entire gamut
of their relations with special focus on preparations for
premier Sheikh Hasina's planned visit to New Delhi next month.
"The issue of taking forward the our cooperation is
something that under constant focus ... that is the purpose of
coming to Bangladesh," Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao
told reporters after a nearly two-hour meeting with her
Bangladesh counterpart Mohamed Mijarul Quayes at the state
guest house 'Padma' here.
She said she particularly came this time in the "context
of preparations for a very significant visit of Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in December" and noted
that India attached "highest importance" to its ties with
Bangladesh.
Quayes said his talks with Rao were focussed on the
progress on the understanding that was reached between the two
countries during Foreign Minister Dipu Moni's visit to India
last September.
"I can assure you both the countries are committed to
materialising that understanding," he said in a brief media
appearance with Rao after the talks that was followed by an
official luncheon also joined by concerned officials of
different ministries.
Rao, who arrived here this morning on a two-day visit, is
also to meet Dipu Moni and call on Hasina and main opposition
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia. (More) PTI