DHAKA: Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is set to arrive here on Wednesday, will meet BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday.

Sources said that the meeting will be held at a city restaurant.

Confirming the matter to banglanews, BNP chief’s press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan told banglanews on early night that however, the venue and the exact time for the meeting will be informed later on Wednesday.

Maruf Kamal said that BNP wants to maintain friendly relations with India and added that the change in government in India through a democratic election will also help increase people-to-people contacts between the two neighboring nations.

India external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to have a 3-day official visit to Bangladesh from June 25.

The country’s ministry made the disclosure on their website on Saturday evening.

Mentioning her tour as ‘a goodwill visit’ it said that she would stay in the country till June 27 with the invitation of her Bangladesh counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali.

Swaraj will hold discussions on bilateral issues with foreign minister Mahmood Ali.

She will also call on President Abdul Hamid and Premier Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier, it was said that visiting Indian External Affairs Minister might not meet Khaleda this time.

BDST: 0859 HRS, JUNE 25, 2014