Dhaka, Delhi can work together to strengthen democracy
Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee calls on President Zillur Rahman at Bangabhaban in the city yesterday.Photo: PID
President Zillur Rahman yesterday emphasised the importance of regular contacts and exchange of visits by parliamentarians of Bangladesh and India to further bolster bilateral ties between the two countries.
He also said Dhaka and Delhi could work together to further strengthening parliamentary democracy in the region.
"There are scopes for working together to make our parliament main centre of decision-making and accountability," he said while talking to Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee when he called on the president at Bangabhaban.
President Zillur welcomed the Indian Speaker and thanked him for visiting Bangladesh. "We believe people-to-people contact is essential to deepen relations between the two countries," he said.
He also mentioned that Bangladesh attaches high importance to bilateral relations with India as the two neighbours share not only the common border but also culture, history, values and traditions.
"Bangladesh always condemns all forms of terrorism as it is a common enemy to all of us," he added.
Referring to huge human resources of the two countries, he said both the countries could further boost the economy by utilising the human resources to their mutual interest.
The president also expressed his gratitude to the Indian government for its assistance in the wake of Cyclone Sidr.
He also recalled the cooperation from the Indian people who provided shelter, food, clothes and other supports to Bangladeshi people during the War of Liberation in 1971.
Indian Speaker Somnath Chatterjee hoped that the practice of democracy would be further strengthened in Bangladesh under the leadership of President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said Bangladeshi lawmakers could benefit by receiving training on parliamentary norms at the training institute in India, which is run by the Indian parliament, Lok Sobha.
The Indian Speaker also appreciated the enthusiasm of Bangladeshi people towards democracy they had shown during the last general election.
Secretary of the President's Office Md Sirajul Islam, Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen Mohammad Ruhul Amin and President's Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were present at the meeting.
Comments