Foreign Minister Dipu Moni rejects the notion that Bangladesh foreign policy is India tilted; Bangladesh signs a deal with China for the construction of the seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge; Bangladesh signs a $300 million energy infrastructure
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    • According to reports, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, in an interview with a news agency, has dismissed the notion that the government's foreign policy was tilted towards India, but said that it is very natural that India will be one of the main focus areas of the foreign policy because of historical, geographical, political and economic factors. “It has not just been India; it is beyond India” to deal with major concerns like food security, climate change, manpower export, trade and investment, she said. 1

    In another development, according to reports, Bangladesh signed a deal with China for the construction of the Seventh Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge on the Arial Khan river in Kazirtek, Madaripur on January 3, 2012. The 700-metre long bridge over the river flowing through Madaripur and Shariatpur districts will cost Tk275 crore, of which the Chinese government will provide Tk145 crore as grant and Tk 55crore as interest free loan. The government will provide the remaining Tk 75 crore for land acquisition, resettlement and other primary works. 2

    Meanwhile, Bangladesh signed a $300 million energy infrastructure loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on January 4, 2012 to help the country address critical power shortage. 3

    In other developments, Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office on January 4, 2012. 4

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