The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee spoke over telephone Friday discussing the planned purchase of rice from India by Bangladesh.

The Foreign Adviser informed the Indian Minister that an official negotiating team would soon be in India for the purpose, said a Foreign Ministry handout yesterday.

It said the Bangladesh government would procure the rice from Indian state agencies.

Both Dr Iftekhar and Pranab Mukherjee hoped further improvement in bilateral relations during 2008 and wished each other 'a happy New Year'. Meanwhile, Dr Iftekhar, speaking to the media, expressed satisfaction at the reported decision by the Indian government to lift ban on Bangladeshi investments in India.

The ban is still said to be in force for Pakistan.

"My belief is that it will help those Bangladeshi businessmen who are eager to invest in north-eastern India," Chowdhury remarked.