Apr 08, 2017: India and Bangladesh today signed 22 agreements for cooperation in various fields including extension of line of credit by India. After a comprehensive talks with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new concessional Line of Credit of 4.5 billion dollars for Bangladesh and an additional assistance of 500 million dollars to help its military procurement. The two countries also agreed to confront challenges of terrorism with deeper security and defence cooperation.
In his joint media statement, PM Modi expressed greatest admiration for Sheikh Hasina’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy to deal with terrorism. Referring to Bus and Train connectivity between Kolkata and Khulna, he said, it will mark a new era. Prime Minister Modi also called for diversifying commercial relations between the two neighbours.
PM Modi described energy security as an important dimension of the bilateral partnership and announced India will partner Bangladesh in goal of Power for all by 2021. India is looking forward for early implementation of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement, he said and added that this would usher in a new epoch of sub-regional integration.
On Teesta river water sharing issue, PM Modi expressed firm belief that only the present governments of the two countries can and will find an early solution to Teesta water sharing. Having said that Teesta is important for India- Bangaldesh relationship, he expressed hope that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee will eventually support it.
In her joint media statement Sheikh Hasina reiterated, her country is committed to zero tolerance policy to fight terrorism and promised to take all steps to ensure peace and security along Indo-Bangla border. She said, greater connectivity is vital for the development of two countries.
The two leaders also inaugurated two rail and a road connectivity projects via video conference. They jointly released Hindi Translation of the book “Unfinished Memoires” by Bangladesh founder, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Commemorating an extraordinary figure and honouring India Bangladesh friendship, the leaders dedicated Park Street in Delhi to memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also thanked Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her decision to honour Indian martyrs of Bangladesh liberation war.
Earlier, in the day, the Bangladesh Prime Minster was accorded ceremonial reception at the forecourts of Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning. She also visited Rajghat to pay floral tributes to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. (Inputs from AIR News)
