PM most likely to visit India Apr 8-10

Dhaka and New Delhi appear to have finally agreed upon a date for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India, ending all the speculations and suspense.
The Prime Minister is most likely to visit India from April 8 to 10, competent government sources have told The Independent, hoping that the upcoming trip will be ground-breaking in many aspects. There always remains a chance for last minute change, they cautioned, but made sure that the visit will take place in the second week of April. This will be Hasina’s first official visit to India since January 2010.
Though never officially announced, the visit was postponed twice before – in January and February. While in India, the Prime Minister will be the guest of the Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee, and reside in the presidential palace. Hasina is going to be the first Bangladeshi Prime Minister to be honoured like this. According to the sources, all the aspects of the bilateral issues will be discussed between Hasina and her Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Besides, they said that Dhaka and New Delhi are working on signing about 40 bilateral instruments in the shape of agreements, memorandums of understanding and other forms in various sectors including defence cooperation.
And, they added that out of them 20 to 30 are expected to be signed during the visit.
As of now, according to the sources, the signing of Teesta water sharing agreement, which is a top priority for Bangladesh, is highly unlikely.
“Given the tussle between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it is not impossible, but it is improbable,” said a senior official concerned when asked if there is any possibility of a breakthrough regarding Teesta during the upcoming proposed visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. “But, it is still a top priority and we want to get it signed as soon as possible,” he said.
An interim agreement on Teesta water sharing was set to be signed on September 6, 2011 during former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Dhaka. But, it could not be signed due to the last minute objection raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
About signing of bilateral instruments on defence cooperation, the sources said that both sides are working on this issue keeping the sensitivity of the matter in mind and it will take some more time to get a clear picture. Of those instruments to be signed, at least two are most likely to be related to defence cooperation, they said.   
India is interested in signing a framework agreement on defence cooperation and put forward a proposal in this regard, said the sources. But, Dhaka is interested in signing a MoU on defence cooperation, which is not obligatory like the agreement, they said, adding that most likely, it is a MoU that will be signed. The sources also said that India has also put forward a proposal to provide a line of credit (LOC) worth $500 million (about Tk 4,000 crores) for defence purchase and Delhi wants an agreement in this regard.

 

PM most likely to visit India Apr 8-10

Dhaka and New Delhi appear to have finally agreed upon a date for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit to India, ending all the speculations and suspense. The Prime Minister is most likely to visit India from April 8 to 10, competent government sources have told The Independent, hoping that the upcoming trip will be ground-breaking in many aspects. There always remains a chance for last minute change, they cautioned, but made sure that the visit will take place in the second week of April. This will be Hasinas first official visit to India since January 2010. Though never officially announced, the visit was postponed twice before in January and February. While in India, the Prime Minister will be the guest of the Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee, and reside in the presidential palace. Hasina is going to be the first Bangladeshi Prime Minister to be honoured like this. According to the sources, all the aspects of the bilateral issues will be discussed between Hasina and her Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides, they said that Dhaka and New Delhi are working on signing about 40 bilateral instruments in the shape of agreements, memorandums of understanding and other forms in various sectors including defence cooperation. And, they added that out of them 20 to 30 are expected to be signed during the visit. As of now, according to the sources, the signing of Teesta water sharing agreement, which is a top priority for Bangladesh, is highly unlikely. Given the tussle between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it is not impossible, but it is improbable, said a senior official concerned when asked if there is any possibility of a breakthrough regarding Teesta during the upcoming proposed visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. But, it is still a top priority and we want to get it signed as soon as possible, he said. An interim agreement on Teesta water sharing was set to be signed on September 6, 2011 during former Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singhs visit to Dhaka. But, it could not be signed due to the last minute objection raised by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. About signing of bilateral instruments on defence cooperation, the sources said that both sides are working on this issue keeping the sensitivity of the matter in mind and it will take some more time to get a clear picture. Of those instruments to be signed, at least two are most likely to be related to defence cooperation, they said. India is interested in signing a framework agreement on defence cooperation and put forward a proposal in this regard, said the sources. But, Dhaka is interested in signing a MoU on defence cooperation, which is not obligatory like the agreement, they said, adding that most likely, it is a MoU that will be signed. The sources also said that India has also put forward a proposal to provide a line of credit (LOC) worth $500 million (about Tk 4,000 crores) for defence purchase and Delhi wants an agreement in this regard.