'India, B'desh trying to restore warmth in ties'

Dhaka: India and Bangladesh are trying to "restore" the warmth in bilateral relations, and New Delhi is keen on developing an effective and institutionalised security cooperation with Dhaka, said External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in an interview with a leading Bangladesh daily in the city on Thursday.

In the interview, which was published today, he said, "We are now mutually trying to restore the warmth of bilateral relations and succeeded to some extent in our efforts. The depth of political relations between our two countries is now as deep as it should be."

Mukherjee attributed the improvement in relations to efforts by both the countries, pointing that the Interim Government in emergency-ruled Bangladesh had extended its hand to boost bilateral cooperation in different areas. Dhaka-New Delhi ties had suffered a setback during the previous Bangladesh Nationalist (BNP)-led government of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

His comments came as a direct train service between Dhaka and Kolkata is set to be launched on April 14 coinciding with the Bengali New Year Pahela Boishakh. Mukherjee, however, told the daily that fluctuation in bilateral ties between the two neighbours was not unusual but "efforts should be there to develop it".

He said that talks with Dhaka were also progressing on security issues, particularly in connection with militant involved in separatist activities in India who were taking shelter on Bangladeshi soil.

"As the ordinary criminals change their location after committing an offence, the political offenders too go into hiding," he said.

The Minister said that New Delhi wanted to develop effective and institutional security cooperation with Pakistan and Nepal also to solve such security problems. (PTI)

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