The New Nation - Internet Edition

bdnews24.com, Dhaka

Indian foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in the middle of January, foreign affairs adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said on Sunday.

"The itinerary of the Indian foreign minister's visit, however, will be drawn by the next government," said Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury to bdnews24.com.

Foreign ministry officials say the senior Indian minister will officially convey his government's greetings to the Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and her nascent government.

The ninth parliamentary elections held on Dec. 29 saw Awami League emerge winner with a staggering 230 of the 299 parliament seats. Its grand alliance allies-Jatiya Party, JSD and WPB-got 27, three and two seats, bringing the grand alliance total to 262.

On the other hand, the BNP-led four-party alliance secured 32 seats.

The Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, and ruling Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi have already greeted Hasina and AL on their polls victory.

Pakistan high commissioner in Dhaka Alamgir Muhammad Babar conveyed the greetings from Pakistan president and prime minister to Hasina and her party.