The Hindu : Chandrika to hold talks with Khaleda today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 20, 2003

International

International

Chandrika to hold talks with Khaleda today

By Haroon Habib

The Bangladesh Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, receiving the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, at the Zia International Airport in Dhaka on Saturday. — AFP

DHAKA April 19. The Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, who arrived here today, is scheduled to hold talks with the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, tomorrow during which the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries is likely to be discussed.

Regional and international issues of common concern, including the steps that the countries in South Asia might take to realise the full potential of the SAARC, are expected to come up during the talks. The possibility of resuming a direct air link between the two countries would also be discussed, diplomatic sources said.

``We consider her two-day visit significant as both Dhaka and Colombo share commonality on many issues,'' a Foreign Ministry spokesman told reporters here.

He said the visit was expected to help both the countries to explore new avenues of cooperation to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in the field of trade, commerce and investment.

The latest SAARC summit, scheduled to take place in Islamabad in January, was put off due to differences between the region's two big powers — India and Pakistan.

Earlier, Ms. Kumaratunga was accorded a red-carpet reception here today and received by the Bangladesh President, Iajuddin Ahmed, and Ms. Zia at the Dhaka International Airport. She was the first head of the Sri Lankan state to visit the country since 1995.

Four jets of Bangladesh Air Force escorted the Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft after it entered Bangladesh airspace. A 21-gun salute heralded her arrival. A contingent drawn from the three services presented a guard of honour while the band played the national anthems of the two countries. She took the salute and reviewed the parade. The chiefs of the three services were present.

Immediately after arrival, Ms. Kumaratunga drove in a ceremonial motorcade to National Mausoleum at Savar and paid homage to the martyrs of the Bangladesh liberation war. School children lined the road outside the airport and waved the flags of the two countries.

Ms. Kumaratunga called on the President, Dr. Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban and attended a banquet hosted in her honour.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

Stories in this Section

Saddam aide arrested

Sanctions: U.N. Council agrees with U.S. stand but not the agenda

Bush mourns American deaths

Fear over SARS stalks more countries

Old wine in new bottle, yet we welcome it: Pak.

Pak. Opposition threatens no-confidence motion

Chandrika to hold talks with Khaleda today

Private manned spacecraft

Violence clouds Nigerian polls

Pak. claims credit for its `mature foreign policy'