The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the constitutional amendments required for ratification of these protocols, amove that would facilitate the implementation of the LBA.
Maintaining that the amendments would be placed in theupcoming budget session of Parliament, Khurshid said "We hopeit will be actually passed by Parliament in this sessionitself, if all goes well".
To a question about the opposition by BJP to the LBA, hesaid the agreement was of mutual interest and a win-winsituation for both the nations.
"We are moving forward with full consultations with allthe stakeholders and expect the cooperation of all politicalparties including the BJP. It is the vision of our greatleaders and reflects the collective aspirations of thepeople," he said.
Asked about the pending Teesta river water sharing issue,stalled due to the opposition by West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee, he said "I have great regards for the ChiefMinister. She is also a good friend of Bangladesh and isconscious of her responsibilities... We will ensure that WestBengal is fully with us. We are committed to the issue".
He also sought joint participation of Bangladesh in theTipaimukh project and also invited investments by Dhaka in theproject.
Khurshid also handed over a solar lamp to his Bangaldeshicounterpart. During Manmohan's visit here in September 2011,he had announced that India would provide 2800 solar lamps tothe beneficiaries of the Sidr cyclone shelters.
So far, 1185 solar panels and lamps have been installed inMorelganj (608) and Sharonkhola (577) Upazillas in BagerhatDistrict of Bangladesh. The project is in advanced stage ofimplementation.
An MoU for the establishment of India-BangladeshFoundation with the objective of enhancing linkages betweenthe two countries, particularly through economic, scientific,educational, technical and cultural co-operation and thepromotion of greater understanding between the peoples of thetwo countries was also signed.
The activities of the Foundation would be financed throughrevenues from a Trust Fund to be set up through grants madeavailable by the two sides and administered by a Board ofDirectors with the High Commissioners of India and Bangladeshco-Chairpersons of the Board.