New Delhi, Jan 10 (IANS) Expressing its resolve to strengthen its “traditional and historical close links” with Dhaka, New Delhi Sunday hoped that Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit would prove to be path breaking in strengthening bilateral ties.
New Delhi also looked forward to conferring the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on Hasina and signing five crucial treaties with its neighbour during the Bangladeshi prime minister’s three-day state visit.

“The visit of the Bangladesh prime minister promises to be a path breaking one and gives both countries a historic opportunity to build a new and forward looking relationship,” said India’s Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao Sunday, minutes before Hasina’s special aircraft was to land at New Delhi.

“India is committed to working with the government of Bangladesh to build on our historical and traditional close links and open new vistas in our bilateral relations,” Rao added.

Expressing confidence that Hasina’s visit would serve to underline the importance of the close ties between the two countries, not only for the two neighbours but the entire region and the international community, Rao said: “India remains committed to provide substantial assistance to Bangladesh to become a major partner in its economic development.”

“We are addressing an entire range of developmental issues of direct interest to Bangladesh, including railway infrastructure, transportation, dredging, power grid inter-connectivity, human resource development and investment and trade,” Rao added.

Noting Bangladesh’s happiness at India’s decision to provide it transit facility to Nepal and Bhutan through its territory, Rao said: “India too will seek Bangladesh’s understanding and cooperation on our security and connectivity needs.”

“We seek to revive those physical and emotional links which remained disrupted since Independence,” said Rao.

Hasina is slated to be conferred with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2009 at Rastrapati Bhavan Jan 12, said Rao adding that the visiting prime minister would call on President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is to host a banquet in her honour.

Hasina is also slated to address a business meet organised by the country’s apex business chambers. She will visit Ajmer Sharif Jan 13 and leave for Dhaka the same day.

During her three-day state visit, India would be signing five crucial treaties, including those on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, mutual transfer of convicted prisoners, on fight against international terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug trafficking, besides power cooperation and a cultural exchange programme.