Showing India's keenness to do some fence-mending with Bangladesh in the run-up to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Summit in November, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh is undertaking a three-day visit to Dhaka from Saturday for talks on a whole range of political, economic and trade issues.
Singh's trip will be the first by a Cabinet minister since the United Progressive Alliance government assumed office in 2004 and comes ahead of the twice-deferred SAARC summit in Dhaka in November, which will be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"India attaches highest importance to relations with Bangladesh, which are marked by warmth and cordiality," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in New Delhi adding, "We are committed to the relationship of trust, friendship and understanding for mutual benefit."
A host of issues, including the problem of the presence of northeastern insurgent groups operating from Bangladesh, illegal migration, border fencing and India-Bangladesh-Myanmar gas pipeline are expected to come up during the parleys.
Singh will hold wide-ranging discussions with his Bangladesh counterpart Morshed Khan. He will also call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, meet Finance Minister Saiful Rehman and opposition leaders besides addressing intellectuals.
Singh's trip is seen as an 'important part' of the build-up for the 13th SAARC Summit and a 'precursor' to the the prime minister's visit to Dhaka later in 2005.
The message to be conveyed to the Khaleda Zia government is that India is sincere about improving bilateral ties with Bangladesh.
The SAARC summit was postponed for the first time in January in the wake of the tsunami tragedy hitting three countries of the seven-member grouping -- India, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The second time India pulled out citing the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh, a decision that did not go down well with the dispensation in Dhaka.
Striking a positive tone, Morshed Khan said in Dhaka that Bangladesh is ready to discuss all bilateral issues with India candidly and with an open mind.
The talks would aim at bolstering cooperation and help the two neighbours go forward, he stressed.
At the same time, Khan said both countries should be sensitive to each other's concerns on issues including trade, security, border and water resources and initiate 'practical' measures to address them.
Among the issues Bangladesh is expected to raise are para-tariff and non-tariff barriers. "All the issues of discontent will be on the table. We may not resolve all of them overnight, but we will try to address those with an open mind to find solutions," he said.
Official sources in New Delhi said the visit would provide an occasion for the two sides to have a free and frank exchange of views on all important issues of concern to either side in a spirit of understanding, cooperation and accomodation.
During the parleys, New Delhi will seek Dhaka's fullest commitment and support to the G-4 resolution on United Nations reforms, including expansion of the Security Council for whose permanent membership India is a candidate.
The current level of bilateral trade stands at $1.6 billion. The two neighbours have had a number of high-level contacts which included two visits by the Bangladesh foreign minister to India since May 2004. Bangladesh ministers for commerce, finance and health also paid visits.
Water Resources Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi is also likely to travel to Bangladesh later in August, which will be followed by visits of Ministers of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.
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