India to accept satellite TV channels from Bangladesh

Wednesday 07 Sep 2011
Bangladeshi satellite TV channels may soon be able to telecast their programmes in India, Bangladesh’s Information Minister said yesterday.

“The chief ministers (of four Indian states) assured me of taking steps so our private television channels can easily be downlinked in India,” Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India.

Bangladeshi TV channels currently require permission from Indian authorities for telecasting their programmes.

Mr Azad’s comments came following a meeting between India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and nine other Bangladeshi ministers.

Lifting the need for permission to downlink would, said Mr Azad, “create an opportunity for building people-to-people cooperation wanted by both the neighbours”.