Our Correspondent, New Delhi
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, due to meet Indian premier Manmohan Singh today, was given a red carpet reception on her arrival in New Delhi yesterday.
She was received by Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Perneet Kaur and Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao after being flown to the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 8:05pm (local time) by a special flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Ltd.
Hasina and her entourage were taken to the ITC Maurya Sheraton Hotel, where the premier will stay for four days.
India has announced addressing a host of developmental issues that are directly related to Bangladesh.
Prior to Hasina's arrival, the Indian foreign secretary in a statement said the premier's India visit "promises to be a path-breaking one and gives both countries a historic opportunity to build a new and forward looking relationship."
Rao reiterated that India is committed to working with the Bangladesh government "to build on our historical and traditionally close links and open new vistas in out bilateral relations."
The Indian foreign secretary said, "India remains committed to provide substantial assistance to Bangladesh to become a major partner in its economic development."
"We are addressing an entire range of developmental issues of direct interest to Bangladesh including railway infrastructure, transportation, dredging, power grid interconnectivity, human resources development, investment and trade," the Indian diplomat said.
Pointing out that Bangladesh has welcomed India's decision to provide it with transit to Nepal and Bhutan, Rao said, "We seek to revive those physical and emotional links which remain disrupted since independence."
She said India seeks Bangladesh's "understanding and cooperation on our security and connectivity needs."
"We are confident that this visit would serve to underline that strong India-Bangladesh relations are vital, not just for both our countries but for the entire region and the international community," Rao said.
Hasina's visit sent out strong signals that she would seize the opportunity to seek warmer ties and resolution of longstanding issues with the world's largest democracy.
India has already said the Bangladesh premier's visit will be a "landmark" event in bilateral ties amid indications that New Delhi is willing to "travel extra mile" by taking non-reciprocal steps in various fields including lowering of tariff barriers.
Hasina's official entourage includes Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen, and PM's Advisers HT Imam, Mashihur Rahman and Gowher Rizvi. A high-level business delegation is accompanying her with an aim of expanding trade with India.
Security has been stepped up in New Delhi, particularly in Chanakyapuri area. Additional policemen and paramilitary forces have been deployed in and around the places to be visited by Hasina and her entourage during their stay in the Indian capital.
Hasina's official engagement in New Delhi begins tomorrow with a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan at 9:00am. She will be given a 21-gun salute and a guard of honour in the forecourt of official residence of the Indian president. Horse-mounted Indian Presidential Guards will escort her at the time.
Indian President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be present on the occasion.
Hasina will pay floral tributes to India's Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Raj Ghat at 10:30am.
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna will call on Hasina at her hotel suite in the morning. Hasina will meet President Patil at Rashtrapati Bhawan at 12:00noon.
She will then return to the hotel where Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj will call on her in the afternoon.
Hasina will go to 10, Jan Path, to meet the President of India's ruling Congress party Sonia Gandhi at 4:30pm.
The meeting will be followed by delegation-level talks between Bangladesh and India, where Hasina and Manmohan will lead their respective delegations.