Congress leader Sonia Gandhi praises PM Hasina for tackling terrorism with 'iron fist'

Indian National Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi has praised Bangladesh Government's 'stern actions' against terrorism, saying this menace should be tackled with 'iron fist'.

Sonia paid a call on Prime Minister Hasina Sunday evening at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi where the prime minister is staying during her dour-day India visit.

Former Indian Premier and Congress leader Manmohan Singh and Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi were also present.

After the half-an-hour meeting, the Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the media.

Sonia told the prime minister that though the Congress has political differences with ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both the parties agree over 'good relations' with Bangladesh.

She hailed the implementation of the land boundary agreement to swap enclaves and said the implementation of the deal was initiated during the Congress government's tenure.

Sonia also praised Hasina for Bangladesh's economic development under her leadership.

They discussed several initiatives taken by Hasina's government for socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

Speaking about the steps the government took to fight militancy and terrorism, the Congress leader said, "The menaces should be contained with an iron fist".

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, MP Sheikh Helal Uddin, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and Awami League Presidium Member Kazi Zafar Ullah were also present.