President Abdul Hamid on Sunday stressed the need for early settlement of all the pending issues, including the Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 and its protocol of 2011, and Teesta water sharing, between Bangladesh and India soon. The President came up with the view when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran met him at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, President Abdul Hamid thanked the Indian government for operationalsing the Bheramara (Bangladesh)–Bahrampur (India) 500 KV transmission line through which Bangladesh imports electricity from India. The President also expressed satisfaction at the inauguration of Bangladesh-India joint venture coal-fired power plant at Rampal, Bagherhat. Abdul Hamid hoped that the power plant will help meet the energy demand of Bangladesh. President Hamid also expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to join the sub-regional cooperation projects on hydro-power involving Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal. He hoped that the relations between Bangladesh and India will continue to grow from strength to strength as both sides are expanding the areas of cooperation for mutual benefits. The Indian High Commissioner told the President that his country was sincere to resolve all the pending issues with Bangladesh, and assured him of doing his best to further strengthen the relations between the two friendly countries. Secretaries concerned of the President office were present. – UNB
