Dhaka, Feb. 24 -- Japan has "assured" the new government that economic and defence agreements signed during the interim tenure will be implemented, though the BNP administration says it will first examine whether the deals serve the "country's interests".

The matter was discussed during a meeting between Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi on Tuesday.

Also attending the meeting were State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Humayun Kabir, and Mahdi Amin, advisor on education and expatriates' welfare and overseas employment.

Speaking after the meeting, the Japanese ambassador said the two sides discussed expanding bilateral ties.

"We formed strateg...