Dhaka, Sep.6 (ANI): Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh met Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dipu Moni here on Tuesday on the first day of his two-day visit, aimed at discussing relations between the two countries along with possible breakthroughs on main disputes, including the sharing of rivers water.
New Delhi's relations with its eastern neighbour have warmed significantly, owing to the strong clampdown on separatist insurgents in India's strife-ridden northeastern region by the Bangladesh government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Reciprocating the gesture, India has approved a 750 million dollar loan for Bangladesh to develop trade infrastructure ahead of Singh's visit. The sum is part of a billion dollar credit line India proposed for its eastern neighbour to develop ports and related infrastructure earlier.
Despite the move, New Delhi still has some way to go to win trust from Bangladesh.
In the past decade, Indian security forces have killed about 1,000 Bangladeshi migrants trying to cross a 2,880-km (1,790-mile) border fence.
Moreover, the floods-prone Bangladesh complains India controls the flow of the vast River Ganges in a brazen violation of treaties, heightening the impact of climate-related disasters.
Part of India's newly adopted 'Look East' policy, Singh's visit is widely being seen as a demonstration of the willingness of the Asian powerhouse to have closer understanding and cooperation with its neighbour and remove decades of mistrust.
Analysts say India wants a lasting, stable relationship with Bangladesh, an emerging economy and big market for Indian goods, no matter who rules in Dhaka. By Navin Kapoor (ANI)
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