Indian commerce minister arrives in Dhaka today

Indian Minister for Commerce, Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu arrives in Dhaka this afternoon on a five-day visit to discuss trade and other bilateral issues between Bangladesh and India.

He is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed.

Suresh will have important meetings with top leaders of the government where political issues are likely to dominate, according to sources in Dhaka.

He will hold a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Tofail on Wednesday where the two will discuss issues of mutual interest of the two countries.

The same day, the Indian minister will hold talks with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shajahan Kamal on potential areas of cooperation.

Suresh will call on President Abdul Hamid apart from his meetings with Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

The Indian minister will visit Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi to pay respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh foreign ministry officials said Suresh may be taken to Tofail's constituency as he wishes to visit rural areas.

The Indian minister will leave Dhaka on September 28.