PM of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina offers prayers at Ajmer dargah

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Photo: AP/File)

Jaipur: The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on Sunday offered prayers at the shrine of Khwaja Mouinuddin Chisti in Ajmer. "She along with a few members of her delegation arrived at the dargah around 11 a.m. and spent 30 minutes in the premises," Khadim Kamaluddin Chisti said. "She wished for peace and prosperity in her country as well as good bilateral relations with India," the Khadim said. Laying a chaadar over the mazaar, Hasina performed her 'ziyarat' with the help of Khadim Kamaluddin Chisti. The dargah committee welcomed the Bangladesh Prime Minister at Buland Darwaja. Dedicated to Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti, the 13th century Sufi saint, the dargah is one of the most important pilgrimage centres for people from all faiths. Millions team in to Ajmer to offer prayers here every year from different parts of the world. Unprecedented security arrangements were put in place at the dargah sharif here for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit. Dargah was also vacated before she reached Ajmer, 140 km from Jaipur. The main bazaar near the dargah was closed. Earlier, Hasina reached Jaipur on Sunday morning from where she with other members left for Ajmer in a helicopter, officials said. Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and explained the difficulties in sharing the Teesta river water with the neighbouring country. Instead, she suggested, water of other small rivers which also flow into Bangladesh can be shared. Banerjee, who had earlier met Hasina at Hyderabad House, met her for the second time at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening here. She told Hasina that there was not adequate water in the Teesta river which can be shared with Bangladesh, according to a close aide of Banerjee. She stressed upon the fact that West Bengal needs water for irrigation and drinking purposes and pointed out that during the summer Teesta becomes almost becomes dry. Acknowledging the need of Bangladesh for water, Banerjee said water of other rivers which are also flowing into across the border can be shared. She suggested a survey of these rivers to decide on the issue. Banerjee also invited Hasina to visit Kolkata. (With inputs from agencies)