Mukherjee will hand over a formal invitation letter from Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to President Iajuddin Ahmed at Bangabhaban.

He will also call on Chief Adviser of the caretaker government Fakhruddin Ahmed, who is expected to lead the Bangladesh delegation to the Saarc summit.

"Let me say unequivocally that this caretaker government wishes to place Bangladesh's relations with India on a firm footing so that future governments of both countries can build on the progress we make," Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told the media on the eve of Mukherjee's daylong visit to Dhaka.

He said: "We are looking forward to our meeting and talks with Pranab Mukherjee...We sincerely believe, this can only be to our mutual benefit."

During his stay in Dhaka, the Indian minister will also meet BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.