Khaleda calls on Kalam, discusses bilateral, regional issues

New Delhi, Mar 21: Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is on a three-day visit to India, today called on President A P J Abdul Kalam and discussed bilateral and regional issues.

At a half-an-hour meeting at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the two leaders also discussed other matters of mutual interest, a Presidential spokesman said.

Earlier in the morning, Ms Zia, who arrived here yesterday, was given a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

In the evening, she will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The External Affairs Ministry said the visit may be seen in the context of the policy of sustained and continuous high-level engagement that the Government of India had instituted with Bangladesh.

''Bangladesh is a close and friendly neighbour and the visit is testimony to the importance that both countries attach to bilateral relations,'' the statement said.

Dr Singh and Ms Zia had met in Dhaka in November last year on the sidelines of the 13th SAARC summit.

UNI