By IRNA,
New Delhi : Advocating the need for peace in Asia specially the sub continent, visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that peace and cooperation is necessary for ridding the region of poverty.
While describing India as a good friend, Hasina said her visit will promote friendly ties with India and also promote peace and cooperation. She was speaking to reporters after the ceremonial reception accorded to her at the fore courts of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday morning.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister who arrived last night on a three day state visit to India will hold talks with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday evening after which the two sides will sign five agreements including three anti terror and security related pacts. They include mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, transfer of sentenced persons and combating international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking.
An MOU on the cooperation in power including inter grid connectivity will also be inked besides signing of a cultural exchange programme. The Trade between India and Bangladesh stood at over USD 2 billion in April-December 2008-09.
Hasina will also be conferred the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, disarmament and Development on Tuesday.
An international jury, chaired by Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, chose Hasina for her “outstanding contribution to the promotion of democracy and pluralism,” the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said announcing her as the 2009 recipient of the prize.
Introduced in 1986, the award in past years has been given to, among others, Kofi Annan, Bill Gates, Mikhail Gorbachev, Mohammad Al Baradei, Dr Muhammad Younus, Wangari Maathai and Hamid Karzai.