Ties with Dhaka to benefit Calcutta: Basu

CALCUTTA, Jan 27: The West Bengal Chief Minister Joyti Basu has sought friendship of all countries in the region, reports UNB.

"We have no problem with Bangladesh. We also don't think people of Pakistan are our enemy," he said adding India wants friendship with Bangladesh and all its neighbours.

Basu was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Calcutta Book Fair '99 today.

"I don't want to mention the problems of Pakistan government here. But people of a country are not responsible for activities of a government," he said without elaborating.

The West Bengal chief minister, who played a key role in the signing of historic Indo-Bangla water sharing treaty, said his province would benefit from growing friendly relations with Bangladesh.

Apart from book fair, Bangladesh is taking part in trade fairs, he said adding even Pakistani entrepreneurs are coming to participate in the trade fairs. "It is a very good sign."

Basu, who is also popular among the people of Bangladesh, regretted that thousands of people who had come to listen to Bangladesh Prime Minister could not be accommodated in the opening ceremony of the fair.

He said he saw many people waiting outside, who mainly came to hear Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But organisers could accommodate only 500 people for security reason.

He told Hasina: You came here earlier. But this is the first time you are here as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

"I'm very happy to welcome you here on behalf of people of West Bengal," said Basu.

About poet Shamsur Rahman, the chief minister said, "We were not sure if he would be able to come. We felt relaxed finding him in the same flight with Sheikh Hasina."