Singh, Hasina may hold talks on sidelines of SAARC Summit

DHAKA: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina may hold key talks on the margins of the SAARC Summit in Bhutan next week during which they are expected to discuss the contentious Teesta water sharing and border issues.

During their vital talks, the two Prime Ministers are also likely to discuss the implementation of five agreements as well as consensus reached on a number of issues during Hasina's January 10-13 visit to India, diplomatic sources were quoted as saying by 'The Daily Star' today.

In January, both Singh and Hasina had agreed on a vision in pursuit of the common good -- bilaterally, regionally and globally. They had also expressed their commitment to work together to resolve all bilateral issues through cooperation and mutual understanding.

On the sideline of the April 28-29 SAARC Summit in Thimphu, Hasina is likely to request her Indian counterpart to expedite resolution of the Teesta water sharing and border issues, supply electricity to Bangladesh, open border 'haats' and provide duty-free access of Bangladeshi products to India, etc, the daily said.

Foreign Ministry sources told the paper that though there are improvements in many sectors, no progress has been achieved in resolving land and maritime boundary issues.

However, both countries are cooperating with each other in curbing the menace of terrorism, officials said.

During the 16th SAARC Summit, Hasina will also hold bilateral discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during which issues like war crimes' trial in Bangladesh in connection with the 1971 'Liberation War' and regional security are likely to be taken up.

Both Hasina and Gilani are expected to invite each other to their countries.

There is an indication that Gilani may visit Bangladesh before Hasina goes to Pakistan, sources said.