Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrives in B'desh to hold talks

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar arrived here to hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart and discuss entire range of bilateral issues, including water-sharing, transit, trade and investment, security and review implementation of various development projects.

Jaishankar was received at the airport by his counterpart Md Shahidul Haque, Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other high officials.

Soon after his arrival he called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Gano Bhaban. He will also meet Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

Diplomatic sources said Jaishankar is expected to convey New Delhi’s full support to Bangladesh on countering violent extremism amid spreading of terrorist acts in recent months.

He will hold bilateral meeting with Haque tomorrow and the two diplomats will discuss entire range of bilateral issues, including water-sharing, transit, development of Pyra Port, trade and investment, Indian Line of Credit, review implementation of various development projects, the Daily Star reported.

His visit assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent killings of bloggers, secular activists and teachers, as well as the overall security situation in Bangladesh and South Asia.