Hasina, Modi for deeper ties with neighbours

They flag off Khulna-Kolkata train

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh wants collaborative engagements with India and other neighbours for regional peace and prosperity and benefit of the people in South Asia while jointly flagging off Khulna-Kolkata "Bandhan Express" train service with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi through a video conference, reports BSS.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh values such engagements so "we can live as good neighbours and pursue constructive policies for the benefit of our people". Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also put emphasis on further strengthening relationships among the neigbouring countries for ensuring their growth and prosperity.

"From the very beginning I have been convinced that with the leaders of neighboring countries, there really should be relationships like neighbors," he said while jointly flagging off the train service.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined the inauguration through videoconferencing from West Bengal as the two premiers took part in the function from their offices in Dhaka and New Delhi.

The videoconferencing also marked the launching of the "end-to-end" immigration and customs facilities of Dhaka-Kolkata "Maitree Express" train service and opening of the second Bhairab Railway Bridge and the second Titas Railway Bridge.

Modi accompanied by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Delhi end while Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Moshiur Rahman, state minister for foreign affairs M Shahriar Alam and Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir MP were present at the premier’s official Ganobhaban residence.

Railways Minister Mazibul Haque joined the videoconferencing from the second Bhairab Bridge site while the PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Indian High Commissioner Hrash Vardhan Shringla, National Revenue Board Chairman Mohammad Nazibur Rahman and PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim accompanied the premier at Ganabhaban.

Sheikh Hasina said there is an excellent relation between Bangladesh and India which is very much essential for development of both the countries.

She said Bangladesh-India relations are in fact setting new high standards of bilateral cooperation in the region and beyond.

“I am sure we would be having many more similar, happy occasions in the days ahead for the greater benefit of our peoples ... I look forward to working with your Excellency in our joint endeavour to that end,” she said.

Referring to the inauguration of Khulna-Kolkata rail service today, Sheikh Hasina said this bond won’t remain in only rail, it will also create bonds between the people of the two countries.  

Mentioning that connectivity is one of the main pillars of Bangladesh-India cooperation, Sheikh Hasina said the two countries are not only connected through rail, road, inland water and air, but also connected through internet bandwidth, coastal routes and power grid.

“These new modes of connectivity are adding diverse dimensions to our overall connectivity architecture ... I am happy to note that we have recently extended our connectivity to the space too,” she said.  

“On this important day, I am extremely happy to join your Excellency to formally launch the end-to-end immigration and customs of Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express and flagging of Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express service,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said this is the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream and these initiatives along with a new International passenger terminal at Chitpur, Kolkata will facilitate comfortable journey between Dhaka-Kolkata and Khulna-Kolkata routes.

“Our two countries are also working to reopen our pre-1965 rail links for cargo transport between Bangladesh and India .... I understand some of these are already functioning and the necessary works for the rest are in progress,” she said thanking the Indian government for supporting the railways projects through Line of Credit (LoC) funds.

Sheikh Hasina said she is happy that two railway bridges at Bhairab and Titas are also being inaugurated today which will contribute to make connectivity faster between Dhaka and Chittagong.

Wishing success of the Maitree Express and Bandhan Express services, the premier said she is also confident that these services would give a boost to cultural exchanges and tourism between the two neighboring countries. “I hope this fine display of mutuality of our relationship will further strengthen our bilateral relations,” she said.

At the outset of her speech, the Bangladesh prime minister extended Diwali and Bijoya greetings to the Indian premier Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the people of India. The premier also invited them to visit Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina later talked to the people of Bhairab through videoconferencing.

Sheikh Hasina said the second Bhairab Bridge will be named after late president Zillur Rahman.

Speaking during the flagging off of the train, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said when it comes to mind, there should be discussion and visits should be done among neighbours. “In all of this we should not stay in the bond of protocol,” he said.

“I have full faith that as we enhance our relations and strengthen relationships between people, we will touch a new sky of growth and prosperity,” he added.

Pointing out that development and connectivity are connected together, Modi said they have taken some more steps towards strengthening the relations between the two countries which are centuries old historical links, especially among the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh.  

“Whenever we talk of connectivity, I always feel the vision of restoring our pre-1965 connectivity. I am very happy that we are continuously moving forward in this direction. Today we have also inaugurated two railway bridges,” he said.

He said the bridges built at a cost of around 100 million dollars, will help strengthen Bangladesh’s rail network.

“Being a trusted partner in the development work of Bangladesh is a matter of pride for India. I am glad that projects are undergoing good progress under the commitment of our 8 billion dollars concessional finance,” he said.

Modi said the most important dimension of connectivity is “our people-to-people connectivity.” And inauguration of the international passenger terminal will facilitate the travelers of the Kolkata-Dhaka Friendship Express and the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express which started today, he said.

The Indian PM said this will not only ease customs and immigration process, but also save three hours travel time of the travelers. “Friendship and bondage, the names of these two rail facilities are also in line with our shared vision,” he said.  He extended his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and heartily thanked Mamta Banerjee for her cooperation in this work.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hoped that the friendship, unity, harmony, solidarity and the bond of language between the two countries would be further strengthened in the years to come.  Mamata termed these inaugurations of railway bridges and Bandhan Express as a historic and memorable day for both Bangladesh and India saying that travel time would now be reduced by two hours between Dhaka and Kolkata.

“I still hope that our relations would grow better and nice and the Bandhan Express will further strengthen the bond of the two countries,” she said. Mamata invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit West Bengal at her convenient time.

Hasina, Modi for deeper ties with neighbours

They flag off Khulna-Kolkata train

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh wants collaborative engagements with India and other neighbours for regional peace and prosperity and benefit of the people in South Asia while jointly flagging off Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express train service with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi through a video conference, reports BSS. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh values such engagements so we can live as good neighbours and pursue constructive policies for the benefit of our people. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also put emphasis on further strengthening relationships among the neigbouring countries for ensuring their growth and prosperity. From the very beginning I have been convinced that with the leaders of neighboring countries, there really should be relationships like neighbors, he said while jointly flagging off the train service. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined the inauguration through videoconferencing from West Bengal as the two premiers took part in the function from their offices in Dhaka and New Delhi. The videoconferencing also marked the launching of the end-to-end immigration and customs facilities of Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express train service and opening of the second Bhairab Railway Bridge and the second Titas Railway Bridge. Modi accompanied by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Delhi end while Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PMs Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Moshiur Rahman, state minister for foreign affairs M Shahriar Alam and Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir MP were present at the premiers official Ganobhaban residence. Railways Minister Mazibul Haque joined the videoconferencing from the second Bhairab Bridge site while the PMs Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Indian High Commissioner Hrash Vardhan Shringla, National Revenue Board Chairman Mohammad Nazibur Rahman and PMs Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim accompanied the premier at Ganabhaban. Sheikh Hasina said there is an excellent relation between Bangladesh and India which is very much essential for development of both the countries. She said Bangladesh-India relations are in fact setting new high standards of bilateral cooperation in the region and beyond. I am sure we would be having many more similar, happy occasions in the days ahead for the greater benefit of our peoples ... I look forward to working with your Excellency in our joint endeavour to that end, she said. Referring to the inauguration of Khulna-Kolkata rail service today, Sheikh Hasina said this bond wont remain in only rail, it will also create bonds between the people of the two countries. Mentioning that connectivity is one of the main pillars of Bangladesh-India cooperation, Sheikh Hasina said the two countries are not only connected through rail, road, inland water and air, but also connected through internet bandwidth, coastal routes and power grid. These new modes of connectivity are adding diverse dimensions to our overall connectivity architecture ... I am happy to note that we have recently extended our connectivity to the space too, she said. On this important day, I am extremely happy to join your Excellency to formally launch the end-to-end immigration and customs of Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express and flagging of Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express service, she said. Sheikh Hasina said this is the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream and these initiatives along with a new International passenger terminal at Chitpur, Kolkata will facilitate comfortable journey between Dhaka-Kolkata and Khulna-Kolkata routes. Our two countries are also working to reopen our pre-1965 rail links for cargo transport between Bangladesh and India .... I understand some of these are already functioning and the necessary works for the rest are in progress, she said thanking the Indian government for supporting the railways projects through Line of Credit (LoC) funds. Sheikh Hasina said she is happy that two railway bridges at Bhairab and Titas are also being inaugurated today which will contribute to make connectivity faster between Dhaka and Chittagong. Wishing success of the Maitree Express and Bandhan Express services, the premier said she is also confident that these services would give a boost to cultural exchanges and tourism between the two neighboring countries. I hope this fine display of mutuality of our relationship will further strengthen our bilateral relations, she said. At the outset of her speech, the Bangladesh prime minister extended Diwali and Bijoya greetings to the Indian premier Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the people of India. The premier also invited them to visit Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina later talked to the people of Bhairab through videoconferencing. Sheikh Hasina said the second Bhairab Bridge will be named after late president Zillur Rahman. Speaking during the flagging off of the train, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said when it comes to mind, there should be discussion and visits should be done among neighbours. In all of this we should not stay in the bond of protocol, he said. I have full faith that as we enhance our relations and strengthen relationships between people, we will touch a new sky of growth and prosperity, he added. Pointing out that development and connectivity are connected together, Modi said they have taken some more steps towards strengthening the relations between the two countries which are centuries old historical links, especially among the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Whenever we talk of connectivity, I always feel the vision of restoring our pre-1965 connectivity. I am very happy that we are continuously moving forward in this direction. Today we have also inaugurated two railway bridges, he said. He said the bridges built at a cost of around 100 million dollars, will help strengthen Bangladeshs rail network. Being a trusted partner in the development work of Bangladesh is a matter of pride for India. I am glad that projects are undergoing good progress under the commitment of our 8 billion dollars concessional finance, he said. Modi said the most important dimension of connectivity is our people-to-people connectivity. And inauguration of the international passenger terminal will facilitate the travelers of the Kolkata-Dhaka Friendship Express and the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express which started today, he said. The Indian PM said this will not only ease customs and immigration process, but also save three hours travel time of the travelers. Friendship and bondage, the names of these two rail facilities are also in line with our shared vision, he said. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and heartily thanked Mamta Banerjee for her cooperation in this work. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee hoped that the friendship, unity, harmony, solidarity and the bond of language between the two countries would be further strengthened in the years to come. Mamata termed these inaugurations of railway bridges and Bandhan Express as a historic and memorable day for both Bangladesh and India saying that travel time would now be reduced by two hours between Dhaka and Kolkata. I still hope that our relations would grow better and nice and the Bandhan Express will further strengthen the bond of the two countries, she said. Mamata invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit West Bengal at her convenient time.