DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that neighbours can have political differences but literature, culture and arts always bring countries closer and strengthen ties between nations.

The PM was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day SAARC Literary Festival at the city’s Shahbagh national museum on Thursday.

She also said that a nation can not be suppressed if it protects its literature, language, culture, history and tradition. Nations can develop a healthy relationship with each other through cultural and literary exchanges.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries--- Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka --- are unveiling their tradition and culture along with Bangladesh in the festival.

Writers, novelists and poets of SAARC countries will take part in the festival.

BDST: 1438 HRS, FEB 28, 2014