Staff Reporter :President Md Abdul Hamid on Friday hoped that all unsettled and pending issues between Bangladesh and India would be resolved through the visit of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.He expressed the hope that when the visiting West Bengal Chief Minister made a courtesy call on the President at Bangabhban, Press Secretary to the President, Ihsanul Karim, told The New Nation.Abdul Hamid said Bangladesh has been working on improving trade infrastructure, particularly along the West Bengal Border. Besides, it is also improving connectivity with the West Bengal.About the exchange of cultural visits between the two countries, Mamata Banerjee said they will solve problems relating to cultural field by sitting together. She also shared her plan to hold cultural festival between the two countries.Mamata said there is scope to flourish relations in tourism sector between Bangladesh and India, especially with West Bengal. If the sector flourishes, tourists of various countries will be able to visit both the countries, she added.The West Bengal Chief Monister apprised the Bangladesh President of her interest to introduce Agartala-Dhaka-Kolkata direct bus service and Khulna-Kolkata train service.She said West Bengal government has taken steps to establish ‘Nazrul Tirtha’ in Kolkata and Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Asansol.The President thanked Mamata for establishing Bangabandhu Chair in Kolkata University and taking steps for setting up ‘Nazrul Tirtha’ and Kazi Nazrul Islam University and said it will deepen the friendly relations between the two neighbours.Abdul Hamid praised the hospitality extended by India during his visit to the India in December last year.President’s wife Rashida Khanom, West Bengal’s Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, Tourism Minister Bratya Basu, MPs – Deepak Adhikai (Deb) and Moonmoon Sen, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran and secretaries concerned to the President, among others, were present.After the meeting, Mamata went to the residence of the President and exchanged greetings with the members of his family.Mamata Benerjee will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Saturday) at 12:00 noon at Gana Bhaban.
