Dhaka-Delhi relations will always remain special and unique: Pranab

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Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has said India-Bangladesh relations is a good example of progress in looking at a shared future. India-Bangladesh relations today are the best ever since 1974.  They are based on mutual benefit, equality and respect for sovereignty.He was speaking at the Cavalry Memorial Lecture organized by the Cavalry Officers’ Association on 18 November in New Delhi. He said that India and Bangladesh are not just neighbours. Both are bound by the threads of history, religion, culture, language and kinship.  India attaches the highest importance to bilateral relations with Bangladesh.

Pranab Mukherjee said Indian investments in Bangladesh will help to create jobs and upgrade technology.  These will make Bangladesh economy more competitive and increase exports. Indian investments in Bangladesh will help to create jobs and upgrade technology.  These will make Bangladesh economy more competitive and increase exports. It is for this reason that the two Governments have agreed to cooperate to set up an Indian Special Economic Zone in Bangladesh.  This is another big step forward towards restoring historic connections between our business communities, which will serve both well.

The Indian President said Bangladesh and India must come together as large consumers to develop and purchase cheap and clean energy. There is huge untapped potential to develop renewable energy like solar and wind.

Pranab Mukherjee said connectivity is the catalyst for deeper engagement. We have launched three bus services that will connect our citizens more easily. Connectivity by road, rail, rivers, sea, transmission lines, petroleum pipelines and digital links must increase. Regional connectivity and cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal must also be deepened. Mutually beneficial arrangements allowing movement of goods from Bangladesh through India to Nepal and Bhutan and from mainland India through Bangladesh to India’s North-east have been worked out. These are significant steps forward which have been enabled by the close cooperation and frequent interaction of senior leaders of the two countries.

The Indian President also said that countries must move towards greater economic integration. South Asia should become an integrated market. A seamless assembly line as well as regional value chains for global markets should be created.

Bangladesh and Indian businessmen are already collaborating in fields such as readymade garments, textiles, leather and pharmaceuticals. There exists huge potential for doing same in food processing, light engineering goods, ship building and auto components, the Indian President stressed.

Family meets Mojaheed

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Samakal Correspondent

Family members of war crimes convict Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed has met the convicted war criminal Jamaat leader at Dhaka Central Jail.

 

Mojaheed's younger son Ali Ahmed Mabroor reached the jail gate at 11:45 am Thursday. At about 12:30 am he applied to the authority seeking his father's visit.

 

Twelve members of the family met Mojaheed in jail and talked for about 30-minute. 

 

Later, at 1:00 pm 12 family members entered into jail including convict's wife Tamanna-i-Jahan, son Ali Ahmed Tajbir, Ali Ahmed Taskik and brother Khalid.

 

The ICT-2 on July 17, 2013, sentenced Mojaheed to death for committing crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation. The Jamaat leader filed an appeal with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on August 12, 2013.

 

On June 16, 2015, the Appellate Division delivered its judgement, upholding the death for the commander of notorious Al Badr.

 

The Apex Court on September 30 released the full verdict in his appeal case and on October 1 the ICT issued death warrant against Mojaheed.

 

The meeting came a day after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court rejected his plea, seeking review of its order that upheld his death sentence.

Fed minutes minimizes global fears

-Yahoo

Online Desk

European equities traded higher Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve gave a clearer signal about a December rate hike, a report said on CNBC.

 

The pan-European STOXX 600 was up 0.6 percent with all major indices in positive territory following strong moves higher in Asia and the U.S. overnight.

 

U.S. equities closed higher on Wednesday and Asia markets were buoyed overnight as investors digested the release of the Federal Reserve's October meeting minutes.

 

The minutes showed that many members of the Federal Open Market Committee believe a rates hike next month would be appropriate but would then proceed with caution on further tightening, assessing the economic conditions closely.

 

Investors in Europe are also digesting the latest developments in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. Police raids on more suspected perpetrators of Friday's attacks took place on Wednesday.