Manmohan terms it 'a sentimental journey'
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has termed his just-concluded visit to Bangladesh “a sentimental journey".
"For me, a visit to Bangladesh has always been a sentimental journey. Just after the liberation of Bangladesh [in 1971], I was sent by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi to work out an economic programme in the changed political context," he told Indian newsmen Wednesday night after his return from Dhaka.
Manmohan, who was economic adviser of India's Ministry of Foreign Trade in 1971, said he had worked with Nurul Islam, the then chairman of Bangladesh's Planning Commission, to finalise the economic programme.
Reminiscing about those days, the Indian prime minister said he along with Nurul went to the house of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi in the capital and submitted their sketched-out economic programme of a newly-independent country.
It was a "very touching affair," he added. He on Wednesday visited the same house, now converted into a museum for Bangabandhu.
India cannot realise its full potential unless it strengthens its relations with neighbours, particularly Bangladesh.
Asked about illegal migration from Bangladesh, Manmohan said the two countries have signed a land boundary agreement to clearly demarcate the frontier, which can help check "illegal movement of people and goods across the border".
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