Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to roll out the red carpet for his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina as she arrives today in her second visit to the country in just under two months. The Bangladesh prime minister will be visiting Shantiniketan to attend Visva-Bharati University’s convocation ceremony, and thereafter hold an informal talk with PM Modi.
Sharing the dais with them will be West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The event is being labelled as a cultural meeting. But Ms Hasina’s visit comes ahead of general election in her country in six months or so.
Hasina’s ‘informal visit’ widely seen as part of India’s renewed efforts to improve ties with neighbours on the subcontinent, is expected to throw up some unlikely topics for discussion.
The talking points between the leaders could focus on the Teesta river water sharing treaty that has been hanging fire for years, and the Rohingya refugee problem. Myanmar says it will take back the 10 lakh refugees now living in Bangladesh. Dhaka wants New Delhi to press Myanmar to keep its word.
Modi has promised concrete steps towards resolving the Teesta water dispute. The Bangladesh prime minister is likely to bring the topic back on the table, especially with elections in Dhaka right around the corner. A timely resolution of the issue could be a win-win for both New Delhi and Dhaka.
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