'Manmohan's visit milestone in ties'

The ruling Awami League views the Indian prime minister's visit a milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries.
The main opposition BNP is also happy as the long-expected Teesta river treaty, what could be a feather in the government's cap, was not signed.
AL's allies, however, expressed frustration over the postponement of a few deals including that on the Teesta water share. The outcome of Manmohan Sigh's two-day tour should have been much more.
“The visit will contribute to remove doubt and mistrust and also act as a milestone in improving relationship between two countries,” Obaidul Quader, AL presidium member, told The Daily star.
“It's a win-win situation,” he said. As the Teesta agreement has been postponed from the Indian side, Bangladesh has taken decision against transit, considering public sentiment.
BNP leaders believe the government plunged into an embarrassing situation, as it could not convince Indian government to sign the river treaty, an issue that raised huge public expectation.
They term the Teesta debacle a massive failure of their arch-rival.
At the same time, said the party insiders, BNP high-ups feel relieved as the government finally refrained from signing anything on transit during the visit of Manmohan, who arrived in the city yesterday.
BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they will give formal reaction on the high profile visit today after the meeting between party chairperson Khaleda Zia and Manmohan scheduled at 4:00pm at his hotel suit.
He made this statement last night after a meeting between chairperson and party senior leaders at her Gulshan office on the issues to be discussed during her meeting with Indian premier.
On the other hand, Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon and Communist Party General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim expressed discontentment over the postponement of Teesta deal.
“India has failed to respond to the way Bangladesh has been stepped forward to build a strong bilateral relationship with the neighbouring country. People's interest centring Manmohan's visit has been faded as some important deals including Teesta were not signed,” said Menon, also a leader of AL-led grand alliance.
CPB leader Selim said “Many things could have been achieved from this visit but both countries have failed to seize the opportunity. Our largest neighbouring country has failed to fulfil Bangladesh's expectation.”
President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Hasanul Haq Inu said the “front door of cooperation” between the countries is yet to be opened as some longstanding issues including deals on the Teesta and other rivers and transit were not resolved.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Ruhul Amin Hawlader said, "We had great expectations, especially about resolving the longstanding problems between the two countries from the Indian government but most of them remained unfulfilled."
Jamaat-e-Islami acting Secretary General ATM Azharul Islam said they will give their reaction today.