Dhaka, Delhi to jointly explore market

NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (Agencies): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Suvra Mukherjee, the wife of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, by placing a wreath at her coffin.
The Prime Minister laid the wreath on the coffin of Suvra Mukherjee at 13 Tal Katra Road residence of Abhijit Mukherjee, the son of Pranab Mukherjee.
Along with the Indian President, Sheikh Hasina later joined the funeral of Suvra Mukherjee held at Lodi Road Crematorium in the Indian capital.
Earlier, the Prime Minister went to Rastrapati Bhaban to console the Indian President and his family members.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh and India agreed today to jointly explore the market of the two neighbouring countries for accelerating their economic development and reducing dependence on others.
The consensus came during a bilateral meeting between visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the latter's office here this morning.
After the meeting, Bangladesh PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
He said the Bangladesh Premier in the meeting proposed for jointly exploring the market and said India and Bangladesh are two large countries, where a big market exists.
"If we could jointly explore our large market, rapid development will take place both in Bangladesh and India," she said, opining that it would also reduce dependence on others.
In reply, Narendra Modi welcomed the proposal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "It's a good proposal," Modi remarked.
During the meeting Narendra Modi proposed holding joint disaster management exercises among Saarc member countries.
Sheikh Hasina appreciated his idea when Modi made the proposal citing instances of holding joint military exercises between two countries.
They also discussed bilateral issues, including strengthening business ties between Bangladesh and India for mutual benefits.
After the meeting, Modi twitted, "Had a good meeting with Prime Minister Hasina."
Ihsanul Karim said the Indian Prime Minister agreed with Sheikh Hasina and welcomed the recent initiative of the Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle agreement.
Sheikh Hasina also welcomed the initiative.
Modi expressed his country's interest to digitise and modernise the Museum and said a team would be sent on this purpose, the PM's Press Secretary said.
The Indian PM said he would visit London in November next and expressed his desire to meet Tulip Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana and niece of Sheikh Hasina, there.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home ending her brief visit to India to join the funeral of late Suvra Mukharjee.
A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 06:20 pm.