"India trying to mend fences with BNP"
Dhaka, Oct 25 (bdnews24.com) – Indian media has splashed news about the upcoming visit of Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia to New Delhi from Oct 28 as she embarks on a diplomatic exercise to strengthen relations with the neighbours of Bangladesh.
Popular Indian daily Hindustan Times published a news on Oct 23 saying, "With New Delhi leaving no stone unturned to maintain the momentum in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, India will be hosting Begum Khaleda Zia."
Khaldea will be leaving for New Delhi on Oct 28 for a seven-day trip at the invitation of the Indian government and is scheduled to meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress party President Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, among others.
Hindustan Times said it was part of the strategy of the Indian government to maintain good relations with all key stakeholders in Bangladesh.
Daily News & Analysis newspaper reported on Oct 24, "The visit comes with just over a year left for general elections in Bangladesh, and a sharp decline in the popularity ratings of ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
The paper said Teesta water sharing agreement and the Land Boundary Agreement were expected to take a major share of discussions.
Bangladesh and India failed to sign the Teesta interim agreement during the visit of Indian premier Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in September last year due to strong opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Both countries signed the Land Boundary Agreement in 1974 and Bangladesh ratified it the same year but India is yet to ratify it making it ineffective as the deal stipulates that it would not be effective until both parties ratify it.
The Times of India under a headline of "India reaches out to Khaleda Zia ahead of Bangladesh polls" reported, "While the BNP has always been known for its anti-India stance, New Delhi knows that it is imperative to at least make an attempt to mend fences with her in the run-up to the general elections slated to be held next year."
"New Delhi added value to its relationship with Dhaka but it knows that ties with BNP are crucial to make this process irreversible."
The Statesman reported that "Ms Zia's party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has always been regarded as favouring Pakistan over India but sources in the government said that they are hoping that Ms Zia's visit will help change that perception and help India develop closer ties with the BNP."
Three times Prime Minister, Khaldea Zia visited China from Oct 14 to 20 at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party. During the visit, she met members of the Chinese leadership including Chinese Vice President Xi Jingpin and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Popular Indian daily Hindustan Times published a news on Oct 23 saying, "With New Delhi leaving no stone unturned to maintain the momentum in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, India will be hosting Begum Khaleda Zia."
Khaldea will be leaving for New Delhi on Oct 28 for a seven-day trip at the invitation of the Indian government and is scheduled to meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress party President Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, among others.
Hindustan Times said it was part of the strategy of the Indian government to maintain good relations with all key stakeholders in Bangladesh.
Daily News & Analysis newspaper reported on Oct 24, "The visit comes with just over a year left for general elections in Bangladesh, and a sharp decline in the popularity ratings of ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
The paper said Teesta water sharing agreement and the Land Boundary Agreement were expected to take a major share of discussions.
Bangladesh and India failed to sign the Teesta interim agreement during the visit of Indian premier Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in September last year due to strong opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Both countries signed the Land Boundary Agreement in 1974 and Bangladesh ratified it the same year but India is yet to ratify it making it ineffective as the deal stipulates that it would not be effective until both parties ratify it.
The Times of India under a headline of "India reaches out to Khaleda Zia ahead of Bangladesh polls" reported, "While the BNP has always been known for its anti-India stance, New Delhi knows that it is imperative to at least make an attempt to mend fences with her in the run-up to the general elections slated to be held next year."
"New Delhi added value to its relationship with Dhaka but it knows that ties with BNP are crucial to make this process irreversible."
The Statesman reported that "Ms Zia's party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has always been regarded as favouring Pakistan over India but sources in the government said that they are hoping that Ms Zia's visit will help change that perception and help India develop closer ties with the BNP."
Three times Prime Minister, Khaldea Zia visited China from Oct 14 to 20 at the invitation of Chinese Communist Party. During the visit, she met members of the Chinese leadership including Chinese Vice President Xi Jingpin and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.
Courtesy: http://www.bdnews24.com
