Modi keen to push LBA through

Narendra Modi is bullish on his government's neighbourhood policy and as part of it wants to push through the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), signed with Bangladesh by his predecessor Manmohan Singh, in this winter. "He wants this done in the winter session of the Parliament," a BJP MP known to be close to Modi said. After that Modi plans a visit to Bangladesh which might be on December 16, the day marking the victory of the 1971 Liberation War. Modi believes in both symbol and substance. He wants to visit Bangladesh on a day when Indian troops and Bengali freedom fighters forced the Pakistanis to surrender, leading to the creation of Bangladesh," the MP said, but he was unwilling to be named. He said it would be a fitting moment for rekindling of India-Bangladesh ties if Modi were to be in Dhaka on December 16. "If by any chance, he cannot make it on December 16, the next best date for Modi's visit may be February 21 which Bangladesh celebrates as the Language Martyrs Day," the MP from Bengal said. Modi has also started the process that would finally lead to the signing of the Teesta river water sharing agreement. "He is trying to develop a consensus, but he is also pushing other stakeholders (West Bengal) very hard," the MP said. A report from the Central Water Commission of India has pitched for the agreement drafted by the Singh regime,according to bdnews24.com.