India, Bangladesh ink five pacts to strengthen ties (Roundup)

Jan 11, 2010, 18:23 GMT

New Delhi - India and Bangladesh on Monday inked pacts to expand efforts to fight international terrorism and organized crime, as New Delhi committed a one-billion-dollar line of credit for development projects in the neighbouring country.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed held talks with her Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in the Indian capital on a range of bilateral issues.

'Your visit will open a new chapter in our relations. We have finalized several initiatives to build a true partnership of friendship and cooperation,' Manmohan Singh said after the talks.

The one-billion-dollar line of credit is the largest ever one-time bilateral financial grant India has provided to any country. This will be used for the construction of railway bridges and lines, supply of coaches and locomotives and buses.

Five agreements including three covering terrorism, cross-border crime, narcotics and extradition of convicted criminals were signed after the two-hour-long talks.

The security-related pacts are also expected to address India's concerns over extradition of suspected insurgents who have taken refuge in Bangladesh over the years.

India also agreed to supply 250 megawatts of electricity, as the two sides took steps to improve connectivity including resuming a rail link between the countries.

'Relations with Bangladesh are of the highest priority for India. India stands ready to be a full and equal partner in the realization of (Hasina's) vision of social change and economic development for Bangladesh,' said Singh.

'We have agreed to cooperate in meeting the common challenges of climate change, and assuring food, water and energy security to our peoples,' he added.

Hasina arrived in New Delhi Sunday on her first official visit to India and met with top leaders including President Pratibha Patil and External Affairs Minister SM Krishna earlier on Monday.

Relations between the neighbours have acquired a new momentum after Hasina's Awami League government assumed power last year.

Delhi's relations with Dhaka had suffered under the previous regime of Khaleda Zia over several issues, including the alleged sheltering of rebel leaders active in India's north-eastern region.

Bangladeshi authorities in December cracked down on the rebels, including leaders of the United Liberation Front of Asom, and handed them over to Indian authorities.

On Tuesday, the Bangladeshi leader will be conferred the Indira Gandhi Peace Award at a function in the Presidential Palace. She will also participate in a joint business summit.

Hasina also plans to visit a shrine to a revered Muslim Sufi saint in Ajmer, Rajasthan state, before returning to Dhaka on Wednesday.