PM's Dhaka visit to strengthen bilateral ties: Mamata

Petrapole (WB), Aug 27: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's forthcoming visit to Dhaka is aimed at strengthening Indo-Bangladesh ties, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said.

Banerjee, who would be accompanying the Prime Minister for the visit on September six and seven, said, "We are going to Dhaka to strengthen ties between India and Bangladesh. We want to further improve relations between the two countries".

The chief minister, who was present at the foundation stone laying programme for an integrated checkpost (ICP) by Home Minister P Chidambaram at Petrapole in North-24 Parganas district, said the ICP would be important for passenger and goods traffic.

She said the ICP would go a long way in ensuring smooth business and trade between the two countries and reducing the time for customs formalities.

She hoped the halting time for trucks would also come down.

PTI