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Hindus will be protected: Bangladesh

Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Saturday night assured Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's special envoy that her government would protect the minority Hindus who had come under attack in the recent weeks.

The assurances were given by Zia to Brajesh Mishra during a 45-minute meeting at her residence in Dhaka cantonment in the first high-level contact between the two countries since the change of guard in Bangladesh effected by the October 1 general elections.

Emerging from the meeting, Mishra said he handed over to Zia a letter from Vaypayee. He did not divulge its content.

During the meeting, the Indian special envoy articulated New Delhi's concerns over the spate of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh soon after the elections.

Responding to the concerns, Begum Zia said her government would safeguard the minorities and prevent recurrence of the attacks.

Mishra said the possibility of export of natural gas from Bangladesh to India came up during wide-ranging discussion, but did not give out details on an issue politically sensitive in Bangladesh.

Zia said she would move Bangladesh's relationship and collaboration with India to a higher level.

PTI

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