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Sunday, Mar 11, 2007
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Bangladesh train link to boost ties

Diplomatic Correspondent

Let us bury the past: Dhaka

NEW DELHI: India is ready to do business with Bangladesh's caretaker Government headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed, according to the latest pointers. It is enthused by the decision to have a train link between the two countries from April 14, and the award of a power plant contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL).

A top government source said India was pleased that the caretaker Government had given the green signal for the passenger train service from Bengali New Year's Day.

The $189-million contract for the construction of a gas-fired power plant in Sidhiganj in Bangladesh, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will be executed by BHEL.

High priority

Bangladesh's new Foreign Affairs Adviser, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, said in Dhaka on Friday that the Government was keen to "bury past misunderstandings" with New Delhi and accord "high priority" to cultivating a close relationship with New Delhi.

"Let me declare unequivocally that it is the intention of the current caretaker Government to accord high priority to cultivating a close relationship with all our neighbours, including India," Dr. Chowdhury was quoted as saying. He said India, being the most blessed in terms of size, population and resources in the region, had "a special responsibility [that] would naturally devolve on her." "I have every confidence that she [India] will not shy way from it, and as she grows, she will help us grow with her," Dr. Chowdhury added.

SAARC summit talks

His remarks reflect the sentiments expressed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who met both Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed and Dr. Chowdhury during a visit to Dhaka on February 19.

"During my meetings with Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed and Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, the discussions centred on bilateral relations and the forthcoming 14th SAARC Summit. In the context of bilateral relations, both sides agreed to take steps to place bilateral relations on an `irreversible higher trajectory'," Mr. Mukherjee said in a statement.

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