Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has assured Bangladesh that relations between the two neighbouring nations would not change after the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and both would continue to work jointly towards countering various problems, especially terrorism.

Wrapping up a surprise two-day visit, Menon also invited Bangladesh to visit the construction site for the Tipaimukh Dam in West Bengal in an effort to remove Dhaka’s concerns.

Menon also pledged to increase cooperation on water-sharing, counter-terror measures and trade in an effort to boost relations. He met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and army chief General Moeen U Ahmed.

Government sources said the trip’s aim was to assure Dhaka of New Delhi’s commitment to improve relations regardless of the result of the upcoming Indian general elections.

"This is a part of the on going dialogue between friends, between neighbours, it is natural, we will keep discussing the issues finding ways forward,” Menon told reporters before he left late Monday night.

Menon said he especially discussed ways to better cooperation on counter-terrorism with Hasina, Dipu and Moeen, saying: “This is something that is in our common interest, that we eliminate terrorism from our region, and that we do this together. So, we will continue to work together in that direction.”

New Delhi and Dhaka had signed a deal in 2007 agreeing to share information on counter-terrorism and increase joint-border patrols.

Menon also said they would work to remove Dhaka’s concerns in order to move forward on other pressing issues.

“On water, for instance, there were some concerns expressed and I said we would be very happy to receive a delegation from Bangladesh, to show them exactly what is happening, what we planned,” Menon said.

Bangladesh foreign secretary M Touhid Hossain told reporters: “They (India) are trying to remove our concerns about the Tipaimukh Dam.”