Modi's Dhaka visit to bring 'positive announcements'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would make certain "positive announcements" during his visit to Bangladesh next month. 

Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju yesterday also said India was "positively" looking forward to the visit.

"He [Modi] would be making certain announcements, things that are positive. We are thinking in terms of a brighter future," Rijiju said without elaborating at the Sixth Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue organised at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, who also spoke at the dialogue, said there were "enormous possibilities" to expand bilateral ties and New Delhi looked for a "win-win" situation for both sides.

He expressed confidence that the prime minister's visit would bring a "new momentum" to the relationship between India and Bangladesh.

Responding to questions on the Teesta agreement, he said it was "an issue under discussion".

"In such cases, it's prudent to wait for the results. It's a relationship with enormous possibilities. Hopefully, we will see that grow," Jaishankar said during a panel discussion on India-Bangladesh relations.

The Teesta deal was set to be inked during the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bangladesh in 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.     

Jaishankar welcomed ratification of the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement by Indian Parliament even as he flagged concern over a "section" trying to create "suspicion" between the two countries.

Rijiju said Bangladesh has been providing full cooperation in tracking down fundamentalists and criminal elements.

"We have a favourable and cooperative government in Bangladesh. Whenever our agencies get in touch with theirs, we get absolute support, which is very encouraging," he said.