Date:27/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/27/stories/2008042756311600.htm

International

Dhaka, Beijing to strengthen nuclear ties

Haroon Habib

DHAKA: China and Bangladesh have decided to cooperate in peaceful nuclear power sector with the China-Pakistan model as the template. Ending what was seen as a ‘highly productive’ two-day visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi left for Pakistan on Friday.

Apart from broadening economic ties, Beijing also wanted to get involved in Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear power plant. Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said: “Our friendship is rooted in history. Like all friendships, we have to renew and reinvigorate it from time to time, and this visit was an occasion to do just that. I told Mr. Yang about our warm relations with India and Pakistan, and the growing cooperation with all SAARC countries. Very importantly, we talked about going ahead with the idea of a tripartite understanding between Bangladesh, Myanmar and China regarding a road linkage.”

Mr. Yang met Bangladesh Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed on Friday. Later, he said military-to-military cooperation was an important part of bilateral relations between the countries. Mr Yang also announced free aid of 60 million RMB to Bangladesh this year.