New Indian High Commissioner to B'desh meets Zia

Dhaka, Jan 17: New Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty met former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia here and discussed bilateral issues including business, trade and economy.

Ms Zia's advisor Reaz Rahman told newspersons yesterday that it was a courtesy call by the Indian High Commissioner.

Both of them emphasised on strengthening trade and economic relationship between the two countries, he said.

''There is no other way but to strengthen the trade and economic relationship,'' the Indian High Commissioner was quoted as saying.

The BNP chairperson in reply agreed with the view expressed by Mr Chakravarty.

The Indian envoy also said that his country would invest Tk 800 crore in developing infrastructure of the land-ports on the Indian side of the frontier.

''Both the countries want good relations with each other,'' Mr Rahman said.

However, there was no discussion about the political situation and the proclamation of emergency in Bangladesh, the spokesman said.

''They (the Indian government) will deal with whatever government comes in power,'' Mr Rahman said.

He said both sides have agreed to work together to fight against terrorism.

The High Commissioner conveyed warm greetings of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Ms Zia.

BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and former Foreign Minister Morshed Khan were also present at the meeting.

UNI