Rangpur: First Secretary (Political) Ninad S Deshpande of Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Saturday said an Indian visa application centre (IVAC) will be set up in Rangpur very soon.

He said India and Bangladesh put maximum importance on further strengthening the friendly relations and resolving the existing challenges and issues through high profile visits, meetings and dialogues towards the directions.

The Indian diplomat was addressing a views exchange meeting organised by Rangpur City Press Club at its hall room on the G L Roy Road in the city with local journalists as the chief guest. The meeting was organized by Bangladesh-India Friendship Sociality (BIFS) with President of Rangpur City Press Club Sharifuzzaman Bulu in the chair.

Members of the BIFS Habibul Haque Fulu Sarker and Ms. Shaheen Sultana, General Secretary Subir Kushari, valiant freedom fighter Hafizul Haque Sarker Nilu, veteran Awami League leader Advocate Elis Ahmed and Joginder Singh of the Defense Wing of Indian High Commission were present as the special guests.

After their arrival, the chief guest and other invited guests were accorded warm reception on behalf of Rangpur City Press Club authority.

Former Vice-president of Rangpur City Press Club AKM Moynul Haque delivered the welcome speech while its incumbent General Secretary delivered inaugural speech.

Former Treasurer of Rangpur City Press Club Sayeed Babu read-out the letter of honour on the visit of First Secretary (Political) of Indian High Commission Ninad S. Deshpande to the club.

Deshpande said the existing relations between Bangladesh and India are very friendly and governments of the two neighbouring countries have been working with utmost importance to further strengthen the ties.

The governments of both the countries have been discussing the outstanding issues like land boundary agreement, sharing of the Teesta river water, expansion of bi-lateral trade, reduction of trade imbalance and Indian investment in Bangladesh, he said.

Other speakers called for further strengthening the people to people contact at all levels between the two brotherly countries to take the Bangladesh-India friendship to a new height.