Describing Bangladesh as a valued neighbour of India, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh said on Saturday that he will address the issues on which the two countries have differing perceptions besides focussing on the enormous potential for mutual benefit during his 3-day stay in Dhaka.
"It gives me great pleasure to be here in Dhaka. This is my first visit and I have looked forward to visiting this historic capital," Singh told reporters upon arrival at the Zia international airport, where he was recieved by Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayatuddin.
"We will review the existing state of our bilateral relations and explore how we can further deepen and enlarge their scope. While we will address those issues on which we have differing perceptions, we will focus on the enormous untapped potential for mutual benefit of our peoples," Singh said.
Singh said his visit to Dhaka was part of the ongoing dialogue "with this important and valued neigbour, Bangladesh." He will also be calling on leader of opposition Sheikh Hasina and other senior Bangladeshi leaders.
The external affairs minister's trip will be the first by a Cabinet minister since the UPA government assumed office last year. A host of issues, including the problem of the presence of northeastern insurgent groups operating from Bangladesh, illegal migration, border fencing and India-Bangladesh-Myanmar gas pipeline, are expected to come up during the parleys.
"The government of India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Bangladesh," he said, adding that during his meetings he will reaffirm this commitment and reiterate India's willingness to continue and further the process of sustained and constructive engagement, for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.
Singh will also discuss the agenda for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, beginning in November this year.