Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina held discussions to enhance cooperation in trade and connectivity.
New Delhi, Jun 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina share a light moment during the ceremonial reception, at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo/Shrikant Singh)(Shrikant Singh)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in extensive discussions on Saturday with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, who is on a two-day visit to India.
PM Modi said that to strengthen our defence ties further, “we had detailed discussions from defence production to modernisation of armed forces”.
This visit marks a foreign leader's first incoming bilateral state visit since the new Indian government was formed after the Lok Sabha elections.
PM noted, “We have decided to strengthen our cooperation over counter-terrorism, fundamentalism and peaceful management of the border. Our vision for the Indian Ocean Region is the same. We welcome Bangladesh's decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. We will continue our cooperation at BIMSTEC and other regional and international forums.”
Initiate talks on 1996 Ganga Water Treaty
PM Modi said that both countries have kept connectivity, commerce and collaboration as our focus. “In the last 10 years, we have restored the connectivity that existed before 1965. We will now focus on digital and energy connectivity even more. This will speed up the economies of both countries”PM further noted, “both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights. 54 rivers connect India and Bangladesh - we have cooperated over flood management, early warning and drinking water projects.”
He added, “We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. A technical team will visit Bangladesh soon to discuss the conservation and management of the Teesta River.”
‘e-medical visa’
PM Modi stated that India will start an e-medical visa facility for people coming from Bangladesh to India for medical treatment. “We have taken the initiative to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur for the convenience of the people of the North West region of Bangladesh. I wish both the teams all the best for the Cricket World Cup match this evening,” he noted, adding, “Bangladesh is India's largest development partner. We give utmost priority to our relations with Bangladesh.”‘Neighbourhood First Policy’
PM Modi said that Bangladesh is at the confluence of our Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, Vision Sagar and Indo-Pacific Vision. “In the last one year, we have together completed many important projects of public welfare.”He informed that 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. The first cross-border friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh has been completed,” he added.
