Indian FM Due Today
Dhaka, Delhi move for series of initiatives
Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, who arrives here today, said India attaches utmost importance to its relations with Bangladesh and both the countries have moved forward purposefully to implement a series of initiatives for the benefit of the two people.
In a statement in New Delhi to media prior to his departure for Bangladesh, he said in the preceding years, the India-Bangladesh relationship has matured and deepened with close cooperation in a wide range of areas.
Krishna said his visit would be preparatory to that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He said, "I propose to review progress in the entire gamut of our bilateral relations with my interlocutors [in Dhaka]."
He said that following the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in January this year both the sides have taken up a series of initiatives outlined in the Joint Communiqué.
Both sides have identified a number of infrastructure developmental projects to be undertaken under the US$ 1 billion Line of Credit extended by India, including for Bangladesh Railways and procurement of buses for Dhaka city, he added.
"Progress has been made on issues relating to river waters sharing, land boundary, provision of 250 MW of power from India to Bangladesh, facilitation of 24-hour access to Bangladesh nationals through the Tin Bigha Corridor, electrification of Dahagram and Angorpota enclaves, among others," he said.
He added that the two sides are working on projects for inter-grid connectivity, setting up power plants under joint ventures and continuing our close cooperation in security-related matters and the environment.
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