NEW DELHI Det 1 1 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said tonight that the Ganges water sharing agreement. to he signed during her visit here, woula be a momentous occasion In bllat eral relations and a stepping stone for greater cooperation between Bangladesh and India, reports BSS

Applauding the valuable support and understanding of her Indian counterpart H D Deve Gowda tor reaching such an agreement the Prime Minis ter said her country wanted to resolve this vexing issue once lor all

Addressing a banquet hosted by Deve Gowda in her honour Sheikh Hasina laid importance on taking bold steps to forge a truly meaningful cooperation tietween the two ountnes

Sheikh Hasina said there Is no doubt about the existence of a firm political will among the present leaderships of the two neighbouring countries "I am particularly happy that the pre sent government ol India has reciprocated our determination to move ahead In our bilateral relations. she added She deeply appreciated the unwa verlng personal commitment of the Indian Prime Minister in this regard

The Prime Minister said parallel to the efforts to consol Mate bilateral relations there are vast scopes lor both the countries to enhance regional cooperation In SAARC we have a loruni lo work together for Improving the quality of Ilie of our peoples through poverty alleviation ' she pointed out

Speaking about the historical development of relationship between Bangladesh and India the Prime Minister said "Fa ther of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Miijihur Rahman was Inspired by the vision of lasting peace amity and good neigh hourly relations between (he two countries The foundation of this policy was laid during his first official visit lo India

Indeed site said it Is only natural that Bangladesh and India remain the beat of friends Both can gain much from cooperation and collective efforts wr have Immense po tentlala From trade and com metre to joint venture inltia Ilves to collective harnessing of common resources windows of opportunities are awaiting to tie opened." she said

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the government and the people of India for the sacrifices made by them during Bangladesh s War of Liberation. She recalled that India provided shelter and support to millions of Bangalees driven from their homeland.

The Prime Minister also paid homage to India's valiant troops who fought shoulder to shoulder and shed blood along with the brave freedom fighters

Concluding her speech. Sheikh Hasina. In a passionate voice said. "Let this month of December be a reminder that the spirit of 1971 is still alive and vibrant — let us demonstrate as we did in 1971 that we are capable of rising to the challenge of the time — let this agreement on the sharing of the Ganges waters be a stepping stone for greater cooperation between Bangladesh and India."

Speaking at the banquet Prime Minister Deve Gowda expressed profound satisfaction' at the agreement which will be signed tomorrow.

Deve Gowda said "this is a problem that has been before us for over two decades and has defied a long-term solution in the past. It is a tribute to your (Hasina) wisdom and leadership that we have succeeded in resolving an issue that has defied our efforts in the past

Describing it as the beginning of a new chapter in Indo Bangia relations, Gowda said it would set an example of cooper ation and understanding

"On our part we see this as a major first step toward* resolving all other outstanding Issues between the two countries in order to make our relations a model for cooperation, he said

Gowda said. India accord* a high priority to the improve ment and consolidation of relations with its neighbours espe dally with a cloae neighbour like Bangladesh."

“Our endeavours for increased cooperation have to be founded on mutual understand

' Ing and trust and recognition of each other's needs and percep tions". he said

Among the Indian leader* who attended the banquet were. PA Sangma. I K Gujral Atal Bi hart Vajpayee. KV Raganathan Reddy. Sonia Gandhi. Chandra Sekhar. Jyotl r^a*u. PV Venkataraman. SMaram Keart.

Margaret Alva. Ashim Das Gupta. Dr Nazma Heptullah.

Pranab Mukharjee and Some- | nath Chatarjee MP.

Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad. Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Abdur Razzak. Foreign Secretary Farooq Sobhan. Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and Irrigation Secretary Shamsul Huda, also attended the banquet.