Import of power from India to Bangladesh, allowing greater access to goods from Bangladesh into Indian market and New Delhi's positive interest' in dredging ports and rivers in the country figured prominently as the two countries held wide-ranging talks here yesterday.

Water sharing from common rivers of the two countries, economic, security and border issues and increased connectivity in the region including India. Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh were also discussed during the two and a half hours talks at the Hyderabad House.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni led the Bangladesh delegation

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while External Affairs Minister SM Krishna led the Indian team. The talks were preceded by a ten-minute one-to-one meeting between Moni and Krishna.

Giving a substantive start to her four-day visit to India. Moni and Krishna discussed the entire range of bilateral issues.

The meeting discussed the issues of cooperation in power sector, including import of power from India to Bangladesh and Indian assistance for upgrading our railway sector and procurement of locomotives, passenger coaches and buses.

The two sides also discussed easing of customs and immigration procedures of the passenger train Maitree Express, running between Dhaka and Kolkata, to make the service more popular.

They also discussed the possibility of Indian assistance for capital dredging of ports and rivers in Bangladesh to which Indian side expressed positive interest.

The two ministers also agreed to resrtlve the issues

relating to demarcation of the boundary between the two countries, including exchange of enclaves and adverse possession in a single package.

They also discussed the delimitation of maritime boundary and agreed that the issue should be settled to mutual satisfaction through negotiations.

The two countries also discussed in detail the issues relating to bilateral trade. The Indian side took note of greater market access of Bangladeshi products into Indian market by offering greater duty-free entry and removal of non-tariff and para-tariff barriers.

They also agreed to upgradation of infrastructure of the Land Customs Stations on both sides of the border for greater facilitation of trade. In this regard, both sides also discussed the possibility of easing visa procedures particularly for businessmen, patients, students and government officials.

Both sides also discussed the possibility of opening haats in bordering areas and

transportation of equipment for a power plant in lYipura through Ashuganj.

The two sides agreed that all issues would be addressed taking into consideration the aspirations and mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.

Moni invited Krishna to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience, which the Indian external affairs minister accepted.

Dipu Moni later called on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

She is also scheduled to meet some other ministers, including water resources and power, in the next two days before wrapping up her visit to India.

Bangladeshi delegation at yesterday's talks consisted of Tariq Ahmed Karim, High Commissioner to India, Mijarul Quayes, Foreign Secretary, and other senior officials of the foreign ministry while Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and other Spow Offices as^istpsi the Indian minister.