India and Bangladesh prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint press statement with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. The two premiers addressed the media just minutes after holding talks at Hyderabad House on Saturday.
“Today we have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. The youth of both the countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in many areas like Green Partnership, Digital Partnership, Blue Economy, Space etc. We have kept connectivity, commerce, and collaboration in focus,” said Prime Minister Modi.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently on a two-day state visit at the Invitation Prime Minister Modi.
New Delhi and Dhaka on Saturday signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) including seven new and three renewed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to further consolidate the ever-growing relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
India and Bangladesh agreed to begin negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to take economic relations to new heights, said in the joint press statement.
“India will start e-medical visas for Bangladesh nationals coming to India for medical treatment. India has decided to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur to benefit the people in the northwest part of Bangladesh,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and said that both the countries will also continue their cooperation in other regional and international forums, including BIMSTEC.
Bangladesh’s decision to join his Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative to expand and facilitate regional cooperation of India’s maritime neighbors. He said the deals with Dhaka were part of his country’s pursuit of a neighborhood-first approach.
To further strengthen defense cooperation, both the countries discussed in detail everything from defense production to modernization of armed forces. India and Bangladesh resolved to strengthen our partnership on counter-terrorism, radicalization and peaceful border management, said the Prime Minister.
“The sixth rail link between India and Bangladesh has started between Akhaura and Agartala. Cargo services have been started for our north-eastern states with the Khulna-Mongla Port. Trade in Indian Rupees has started between the two countries. The world’s longest river cruise on the Ganges River between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister highlighted that in the last ten years, India and Bangladesh have restored the pre-1965 connectivity. Now we will more emphasize digital and energy connectivity. This will give impetus to the economies of both the countries, he added.
India will support the construction of an Inland Container depot in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina began her two-day visit to India on Friday. She was the first guest on a bilateral State Visit after the formation of the new government in India. PM Hasina and PM Modi have met each other 10 times since 2019.
-Vinod Kumar
