Modi for good ties with Dhaka

NEW DELHI, May 3 (bdnews24.com): Narendra Modi has said 'illegal Bangladesh migrants in India should pack and leave', but he does not believe that can bedevil relations with Dhaka if he comes to power.

"I will make every effort to have the best possible relations with Bangladesh in areas of trade, culture and much else. Our relations will surely improve," Modi told journalists while shuttling between several North Indian locations late on Friday.

When asked how can there be good relations with Bangladesh if a government headed by him starts pushing back so-called illegal migrants, Modi said he has asked such illegal migrants to "leave on their own".

"I am against the politics of votebank using illegal migrants from neighbouring countries. This has been the politics of the Congress and the Left and now Trinamul Congress. But this is an issue of domestic Indian politics and the government in Bangladesh need not worry about it," Modi said.

"I wanted to give a strong message that this politics of turning illegal migrants into votebanks will not be tolerated anymore."

That was sure enough hint that he was raising the issue to score brownie points in what is likely to be a hard fought election but also that he had no intention of rocking the boat with Dhaka.

"I am aware of the strong steps taken against terrorists by the present government in Bangladesh and we welcome and appreciate that," he said, referring to the Sheikh Hasina government's tough crackdown on northeast Indian rebel groups and Islamic radical elements.