Sheikh Hasina pays homage to Indira Gandhi - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is on a three-day visit to New Delhi, paid her tribute to former premier Indira Gandhi on Tuesday. Hasina was also conferred with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for peace, disarmament and development for 2009 on Tuesday. Sheikh Hasina met President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj during her visit. India is viewing Hasina's maiden visit as a historic opportunity to build a new and forward-looking relationship, and hopes that its security concerns are addressed. India on Monday extended one billion dollar line of credit (LoC) to Bangladesh as the two countries signed five agreements, including treaties on tackling cross-border crime and combating terrorism. Other important items on the summit agenda include the sharing of river waters, the resolution of the maritime border dispute and the promotion of bilateral trade and connectivity. The two countries are also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on expanding power cooperation that will include building inter-grid connectivity. It will facilitate import and export of electricity amounting to over 900 million units per annum, depending on availability, need and price.