Modi may visit Dhaka in June

Indian premier Narendra Modi is likely to come to Dhaka on his first visit to Bangladesh in next June, DNA News, India, reported on Wednesday.

He may announce operationalisation of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) if the treaty is ratified by Indian parliament by that time, according to the report.

The Indian leader’s much talked about visit to Bangladesh has already been deferred. However, no reason was assigned officially.

DNA said parliamentary nod through a constitutional amendment bill is required for ratifying the boundary pact under which 161 adversely-held enclaves with an estimated population of 50,000 are to be exchanged by the two countries.

The DNA report mentioned that India’s home minister Rajnath Singh said last month that the land boundary deal with Bangladesh should be implemented on humanitarian grounds.

The report quoting sources mentioned that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been assured that the centre will bear the cost of compensation and resettlement of people in the enclaves after LBA is ratified, is likely to back the central government`s fresh move.