Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called for establishing cordial and friendly relations among the neighbouring countries by. resolving the bilateral issues and removing tension from the region, reports UNB.

Hasina made the remarks when visiting Indian External Affairs Minister IK Gujral called on her at the Prime Minister’s office in the morning.

Gujral handed over a letter of Indian Prime Minister Deve Gowda to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikn Hasina and invited her to visit India for further strengthening the bilateral relation.

"We'll welcome the Bangladesh Prime Minister at any time if she wants to visit India. We're looking forward to such a visit by the Prime Minister." said Gujral who led an Indian delegation during the

meeting.

The Prime Minister mentioned various bilateral issues between India and Bangladesh and hoped that the Indian leaders would respond positively for early solution of the problems.

She also called for effective measures to strengthen the trade and economic cooperation by reducing the huge trade gap between the two countries.

Recalling her meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Jy-otl Basu when she was the Leader of the Opposition, Hasina said she had discussed some bilateral Issues with him.

The Prime Minister hoped that the West Bengal Chief Minister would also come up with a positive approach to settle the issues.

The Indian delegation included Somnath Chatterjee MP, Chitta Bose MP and Geeta Mukherjee MP

The members of Lok Shava said West Bengal Chief Minister Jvoti Basu wished to see a better relation between the two neigh hours. Jyotl Basu is also planning to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time, they said

Bangladesh Foreign Minis ter Abdus Samad Azad. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury. For eign Secretary Farooq Sobhan Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Syed Ahmed. Indian Foreign Secretary Salman Haidar and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dev Mukherjee were present