Indian top official likely to visit Dhaka soon

NEW DELHI: India may soon name a high-ranking official to visit Dhaka to discuss the situation arising from the recent terror attacks and explore measures to expand counter-terror and security partnership. While no final decision has been taken on who should be deputed to visit Dhaka people familiar with the developments hinted at a visit by a top functionary from the foreign policy or security establishment.

Simultaneously, the Sheikh Hasina government is also expected to send a senior functionary to hold discussions on bilateral security partnership with Delhi. “Both visits are on the cards and in the realm of possibilities,” said a source who did not wish to be identified.

India, which from the highest levels has extended support to Bangladesh to fight extremism, has been in touch with the top political and security establishment in Dhaka since the developments of July 1.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, who is travelling to Mongolia for Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), is planning to meet PM Hasina on the sidelines of the Summit. This will be the first high-level political meeting between two neighbours since recent terror strikes.