Bangladeshi opposition leader to come visiting this weekend

With New Delhi leaving no stone unturned to maintain the momentum in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, India will be hosting Begum Khaleda Zia — opposition leader of the neighbouring country — this weekend.

With New Delhi leaving no stone unturned to maintain the momentum in bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh, India will be hosting Begum Khaleda Zia — opposition leader of the neighbouring country — this weekend.

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The Bangladesh leader is expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee on October 28. The move to host Khaleda Zia is seen as part of a strategy to reach out to all key stakeholders in Dhaka to sustain the momentum in cross-border relations gained under PM Sheikh Hasina. The Hasina administration has also been accused by the opposition of being too close to India, without gaining any substantial returns.

A crucial water-sharing pact on Teesta remains stalled due to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee raising last-minute objections. The land border agreement awaits the cabinet nod for a constitutional amendment as well.