Bangladesh welcomes Dhaka-Kolkata test train

Dhaka, July 8 (UNI) Saying it a forward movement in bilateral relations, Bangladesh today welcomed the Dhaka-Kolkata test train event.

A passenger train on trial run, carrying 31-member Indian official delegation from Kolkata, reached Bangladesh today to take forward the talks on resumption of Dhaka-Kolkata train service.

The passenger train service was suspended in the wake of India-Pakistan war in 1965. ''We welcome this event. We see it as a forward movement of our bilateral relations,'' Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told reporters here today.

In reply to a question, Foreign Secretary Touhid Hossain said the installation of the train service is a win-win situation for both the countries. ''It is a symbol of mutual understanding. It will increase people-to-people contact and improve relation in other areas,'' he said.

Asked about a report that India plans to suspend export of rice to Bangladesh as a counter-measure against stopping the export of Hilsha fish from Dhaka, Mr Hossain said they have not received any such information from the Indian government.

He, however, said the Commerce and the Fishery Ministries here are reviewing the situation following the decision on suspension of exporting the Hilsha fish to India for the next six months.

UNI