Wednesday, December 14 2005 19:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (Dec 14, 2005) said all contentious issues between India and Bangladesh would be sorted out through dialogues and hoped that the traditional friendship between the neighbouring countries would remain despite occasional strains in the relationship.

"Between any two neighbours, be it the people, states or countries, some problems occur from time to time. These have to be sorted out through discussions and understanding", Mukherjee told newsmen after the 'Vijay Diwas' celebration of the Indian Army here.

While refusing to comment on any 'contentious issues' between the two countries, the minister said, "We are good friends and hope all the issues will be sorted out through Discussions".

Asked if the bilateral relations between the two countries were worsening due to the growth of fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh, Mukherjee said, "there are some problems which may take some time to be sorted out".

Earlier, speaking on the Vijay Diwas celebrations to commemorate victory of Indian troops over Pakistan in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, he said, "This is not to belittle anybody, but to highlight the spirit of friendship and cooperation that protected the spirit of freedom of Bangladesh people".

The minister said a total of 61 Bangladesh Mukti Yoddhas, who took part in the liberation war, have come this year to attend the celebrations in Kolkata.