Indian envoy meets Zia; offers support in fight against terror

Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla today met Bangladesh's main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia and and conveyed that India stands firmly with the country in its fight against terrorism.
This was Shringla's first meeting with former premier Zia since he took charge here in January this year.
"The High Commissioner discussed with our leader issues related to bilateral relations and other matters of common interest," Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spokesperson Sabihuddin Ahmed told reporters after the meeting at Zia's Gulshan office here.
The BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and two other senior BNP leaders were present during the meeting that lasted for about one and a half hour.

"During the meeting, the High Commissioner said India was committed to partner Bangladesh in its economic development with a pragmatic and mature approach based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding for mutual benefit of both countries," an Indian High Commission official said.
"The High Commissioner said terrorism and extremism appeared as a major impediment to development. India stands firmly with Bangladesh in its fight against terrorism," the official said.
The discussion on terrorism comes amid a series of murders of intellectuals, writers and minorities in this Muslim- majority nation.