Sheikh Hasina's visit to India will further bilateral ties, says analyst Radha Dutta

New Delhi, Jan 10 (ANI): Radha Dutta, an analyst at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), opined that the three-day visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India would strengthen the ties between the two neighbouring countries.

She said this in an interview to ANI at New Delhi on Sunday.

Hasina is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday on a state visit.

"Since last January when Sheikh Hasina became the Prime Minister, work between India and Bangladesh has been going great on all sectors; take for example security, economic, socially," said Radha Dutta.So keeping in view, her visit is very important and we are also going to sign some important agreements," she added.

During her visit, the two nations will sign three agreements on counter terrorism.

The three pacts include an agreement on mutual legal assistance on criminal offences, agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons and agreement on combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

The agreements are aimed at addressing India's concerns vis-a-vis the insurgents from the North East taking shelter in Bangladesh.

Dutta said that by handing over some of the top United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) leaders like Arabinda Rajkhowa, the Hasina government has made it quite clear that it wants to help India in thwarting the nefarious desires of northeast insurgents.

Dutta further said, "Recently in December when Arabinda Rajkhowa who is an important ULFA leader, his handing over does not mean that because of one leader the whole insurgency camp, which is of great concern to India, is dismantled."

"But this is clear that Bangladesh and the Awami League government's intention is clear and they want to help India. I believe this will only help relations to get better," she added.

The two countries will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the power sector during Hasina's three-day visit.

The MoU on power provides for import and export of electricity to the tune of over 900 million units per annum depending on availability, need and price.

Bangladesh will receive the power from Indian grids in eastern West Bengal state and northeastern Tripura state. (ANI)