Bangladesh prime minister arrives in India

Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina arrived here tonight on her maiden visit, which India sees as "a path-breaking and historic opportunity" to forge a "new and forward-looking" relationship amid hopes that its security concerns would be addressed.

Hasina was accorded a warm welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here where she was received by minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur and foreign secretary Nirupama Rao.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh and Hasina will hold talks here tomorrow to discuss the entire range of bilateral relations, particularly focussing on issues like security, terrorism, border-related aspects, connectivity, trade and investment and cooperation in infrastructure building.

Three agreements to fight terror, organised crime and drug trafficking, and a pact on sharing power will be the highlight of the visit, during which India is expected to walk the extra mile to give a major push to the ties.

The accords to be signed are Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Agreement on Combating International Terrorism, Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

The two countries will also sign an MoU on cooperation in the power sector for import and export of electricity to the tune of over 900 million units per annum, depending on availability, need and price.