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West Bengal, New York to be sister-States

Special Correspondent

Cooperation in education, healthcare, culture and business envisaged

KOLKATA: A sister-state agreement between the States of New York and West Bengal is likely to be signed within the next two months, New York State Senator Malcolm Smith said here on Thursday after a meeting with Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

A proposal for such an agreement was presented by Mr. Smith to Mr. Bhattacharjee.

Once the proposal receives the approval of the West Bengal Government, the agreement will be signed by the New York Governor and the Chief Minister, Mr. Smith said. Initial discussions on the proposal were held with Mr. Bhattacharjee two years ago. The proposed agreement envisages co-operation ineducation, healthcare, culture and business.

The Chief Minister has proposed partnerships between Calcutta University and the varsities in New York State. Possible financial assistance from New York State for social projects in West Bengal was also discussed, Mr. Smith said.

New York State has already a sister-state relationship with Beijing.

The Chief Minister had shown great interest in the high-tech eco-friendly home for the aged project conceived for Kolkata by Uma Sengupta, New York's first elected South Asian woman leader. He wanted work on it to be taken up immediately. Ms. Sengupta was present at the meeting.

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West Bengal, New York to be sister-States

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