Indian Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee termed her Bangladesh visit as ‘very successful’, reports PTI.

On returning after her visit to Bangladesh, Banerjee told reporters at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport in Kolkata, India that her visit was successful and she was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people of that country.

‘The trip to Dhaka was very successful and I am overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people,’ she said.

The West Bengal CM was on a goodwill visit to Bangladesh from 19 to 21 February 2015.  She was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising of ministers, members of parliament, cultural personalities and senior officials.

During her visit Mamata Banerjee made several announcements at ‘Baithaki Bangla’ on 20 February, such as, setting up of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Kolkata for use of Bangladesh citizens who travel to West Bengal for medical treatment, etc; annual India-Bangladesh film festival; annual India-Bangladesh cultural and classical music festival; installing Bangabandhu Chair in Kolkata University; establishment of a joint cultural committee; donation of 500 books to International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka; and exploring possibility of using Aurobindo Bhaban, 8 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata as memorial for Mujibnagar Government.

During the visit, she interacted with eminent litterateurs and cultural personalities of India and Bangladesh at ‘Baithaki Bangla’. The participants, including Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, discussed ways and means of increasing cultural exchanges for deepening ties between the both countries. At a reception hosted by Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, she interacted with a cross section of political parties, civil society and media.  She along with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed presided over a business event organised by the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata.

Mamata called on Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid. President Hamid fondly remembered his recent visit to India and Kolkata, in particular. They discussed several initiatives for strengthening people-to-people contact, including tourism, connectivity, film production and sub-regional cooperation.

The West Bengal chief held detailed discussions with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on various issues of mutual interest to the State of West Bengal and Bangladesh, including cross border links, trade and culture.  

Mamata conveyed West Bengal Government’s commitment to the Land Boundary Agreement and Protocol. Sheikh Hasina thanked Mamata for her support in this regard. Mamata and Sheikh Hasina held positive discussions on the Teesta Water issue.  The West Bengal head conveyed that there are some technical issues that needed resolution so as to ensure that the matter is resolved in a way that benefits both sides and safeguards the welfare of the populations that are dependent on the Teesta waters. 

Both leaders expressed their strong commitment on combating terrorism and reiterated their policy of zero tolerance against terrorism.  

Both the leaders agreed to augment cultural interaction by adopting several measures, including holding of joint cultural festivals and joint film festivals. They also agreed to constitute a joint committee to promote cultural cooperation between West Bengal and Bangladesh. Mamata informed that government of West Bengal is planning to install a Bangabandhu Chair in Kolkata University. She extended an offer of a plot of land in Kolkata for Bangladesh to build a Bangabandhu Bhaban, for use by Bangladeshi nationals visiting Kolkata for medical treatment. Mamata invited Sheikh Hasina to visit West Bengal, for inaugurating the Bangabandhu Chair in Kolkata University and Bangladesh Bhaban in Shantiniketan, which the Bangladesh premier graciously accepted.

Mamata and her delegation paid homage at midnight to the language martyrs at the Central Shaheed Minar on the occasion of ‘Amar Ekushey’ on 21 February. She also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.