Begum Zia to stress on trade, water sharing and security issues

Dhaka, Mar 19 (UNI) Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin today said trade imbalance, sharing of water of common rivers and security issues will figure prominently during the three-day summit between Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Begum Zia would drive hard to secure concrete assurance from New Delhi that no river project would adversely affect the interest of her country, Mr Hemayetuddin said in a press briefing on the eve of the PM's three-day state visit to India.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister, who would have her summit meeting with Dr Singh on March 21 would also seek to reduce the huge trade deficit that Bangladesh suffers with India.

''From our side we will be stressing on reducing trade imbalance, it's very important for us. We'll also highlight the need for a just sharing of waters of the common rivers including the Teesta,'' Mr Himayetuddin said.

On India's planned river-linking project and Tipaimukh barrage, he said, ''We hope to have concrete assurance that nothing will be done adversely, affecting Bangladesh.'' The Foreign Secretary said the security issue would also be discussed in a free and frank manner.

''Nothing will be left, the entire range of bilateral relations will be discussed in a free and frank manner,'' he said replying to a question.

Expecting Begum Zia's visit to Delhi to be successful with positive outcome, Mr Hemayetuddin hoped that the outcome of the Khaleda-Manmohan talks would ''herald a new chapter in our bilateral relations.'' He said, India is Bangladesh's important neighbour with multi-faceted relations, and Bangladesh attaches great importance to this. ''The Prime Minister's visit is a vindication of this importance we attach to our relations,'' he said.

The Foreign Secretary said the two Prime Ministers will have a tete-a-tete at the Hyderabad State Guesthouse before the official talks at the delegation level.

He added that it was expected that some agreements will be signed following the talks between the two leaders.

UNI XC SC KP2109