Sheikh Hasina discusses terrorism and economic relations with SM Krishna

New Delhi, Jan 11 (ANI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is on a three-day visit to New Delhi paid her tribute to Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and had friendly discussions with External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on promoting economic relation and combating terrorism on Monday.

Sheikh Hasina accompanied by dignitaries from Bangladesh, visited Rajghat and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, Hasina met S M Krishna and had friendly discussions with him on promoting economic relation and combating terrorism

"Our relationship has been very positive over the years and then her first visit in a second tour as PM of Bangladesh is one of the happiest moments in the bilateral relationship between our two countries," said SM Krishna.

"We did discuss some developments in our region in terms of terror, in terms of economic collaboration between our two countries where problems are common, problems are similar," he added.

Hasina will be conferred with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for peace, disarmament and development for 2009.

She is also expected to hold talks President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

India is viewing Hasina's maiden visit as a historic opportunity to build a new and forward-looking relationship, and hopes that its security concerns are addressed.

The two sides will sign five crucial treaties, including those on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, mutual transfer of convicted prisoners, on fight against international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.

Besides signing accords on power cooperation and a cultural exchange programme, India is set to announce a 500 million dollars line of credit to promote infrastructure development in Bangladesh and a decision to facilitate a rail transit link from Bangladesh to Nepal.

Other important items on the summit agenda include the sharing of river waters, the resolution of the maritime border dispute and the promotion of bilateral trade and connectivity.

The two countries are also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on expanding power cooperation that will include building inter-grid connectivity. It will facilitate import and export of electricity amounting to over 900 million units per annum, depending on availability, need and price. (ANI)