DHAKA: Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina is expected to go on a four-day state visit to the neighboring country India on April 7. The Premier has not visited India on a state tour since her last visit in 2010. In the meantimes, few attempts were taken to arrange a visit, however, the process ended in vain for many reasons. So, the upcoming tour is very important for some bilateral issues.
The Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harshavardhan Sringla made the comments in an exclusive interview with Banglanews at the India house complex in Indian high Commision in city’s Baridhara area on Thursday noon (March 13).
Sringla said it will be a unique visit for her because the president of India had invited her to stay at the presidential palace. With this invitation, President Pranab Mukherjee showed great honor to the Bangladeshi Prime minister. Hasina will be welcomed with a red carpet reception. There will be a special state dinner for her.
On the bilateral issues, Sringla said Bangladesh and India shares many common issues. Issues that are benefited for both countries will be discussed including high-technology, space, IT, electronics, security and civil nuclear energy. Deals will be made based on agreements out of those discussed issues.
He said perhaps people of Bangladesh might assume that only defence issue will be discussed in the forthcoming visit. It is not so at all. We are already continuing mutual cooperation in this sector.
Specifying the sectors of mutual cooperation, he said a record number of Bangladeshi army officials are taking training in India, while Indian army officials are also taking training in Bangladesh. Officers of Army, Navy and Air Force of both the countries are taking part in exercise. It is a regular bilateral matter.
He regretted that, with a politically biasness, many Bangladeshis view and present the bilateral issues between Bangladesh and India in a mistaken manner or make negative comments. We want to say that these are wrong. We have taken many positive initiatives which are playing effective role in development of the two countries. Not only a few number of common people, some press media and journalists also encourage these types of issues of opposition.
Many responsible press media and journalists are also placing the issues negatively. I want to say that their source of information is fully imaginary, he added.
“The India-Bangladesh relationship is for long time. We hope, the visit will bring some good which will be beneficiary for both of us. The two country’s stance is about own interest. Each will come forward for mutual basis. We will provide advantage, we will take advantage. This is the main subject.”
The High Commissioner further told that we want that the two Prime Ministers come to such an epoch making decision so that the youth of the two countries particularly be benefited.
BDST: 2150 HRS, MAR 16, 2017
AP
