Dhaka, Delhi recognise each other’s concerns

Says Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday described India as the most important neighbour and a key development partner, saying that Dhaka and New Delhi understand each other’s concerns and priorities.
“India is certainly our most important neighbour and one of our key development partners. India made invaluable contributions during our War of Liberation for which we are deeply grateful,” she said in a joint press statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday.
Regarding the bilateral talks between the heads of the governments, the prime minister said, “Few minutes back, we had a very fruitful bilateral discussion. Our conversations were warm, candid and forward looking.”
“We understand each other’s concerns and priorities. We discussed all aspects of our ever growing relationship,” she said.
On the issue of connectivity, Hasina said that greater connectivity is vital to the development of the two countries and the region.
The visit of the Indian prime minister has instilled a new dynamism and confidence in our bilateral relationships, she said.
About the exchange of letters of ratification of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement, the prime minister said that with this agreement, a 68-year-old humanitarian issue has reached a peaceful end.
“We are extremely happy that the land boundary issue has finally been resolved. I appreciate Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in achieving this. We also thank the people and all the political parties in India for their unequivocal support to the agreement,” she said.
Hasina also said that the signing of the Coastal Shipping Agreement, the renewal of the Trade Agreement and the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, as well as the flagging off new bus services are examples of the commitment to seamless connectivity across the region to reduce inequalities and maximizing welfare gains.

“The new trade facilitation measures incorporated in these agreements would create new opportunities for more trade, investment and business,” she said.
“We have very good cooperation in power and energy sectors,” she added.
On the trade imbalance, Sheikh Hasina said that Prime Minister Modi was receptive to the issue of growing trade deficit and assured of his government’s cooperation.
“To bring balance in trade between the two countries, we agreed to establish Special Economic Zones in Mongla and Bheramara for India. We hope this would increase Indian investment in Bangladesh substantially,”
she said.  
The Prime Minister said a discussion was also held with her Indian counterpart on the issues of sharing of water of 54 common rivers.
“We both reiterated our strong commitments to make our borders peaceful and prosperous. We also pledged ‘zero tolerance’ against terrorism and extremism,” she said.   
People-to-people contact is the strongest of our links, said the prime minister, adding, “Together, we decided to open Bangladesh Mission in Guwahati and Indian Missions in Khulna and Sylhet.”
“This again reflects our growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand our bilateral relationships,” said Hasina.

 

Dhaka, Delhi recognise each others concerns

Says Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday described India as the most important neighbour and a key development partner, saying that Dhaka and New Delhi understand each others concerns and priorities. India is certainly our most important neighbour and one of our key development partners. India made invaluable contributions during our War of Liberation for which we are deeply grateful, she said in a joint press statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Prime Ministers Office yesterday. Regarding the bilateral talks between the heads of the governments, the prime minister said, Few minutes back, we had a very fruitful bilateral discussion. Our conversations were warm, candid and forward looking. We understand each others concerns and priorities. We discussed all aspects of our ever growing relationship, she said. On the issue of connectivity, Hasina said that greater connectivity is vital to the development of the two countries and the region. The visit of the Indian prime minister has instilled a new dynamism and confidence in our bilateral relationships, she said. About the exchange of letters of ratification of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement, the prime minister said that with this agreement, a 68-year-old humanitarian issue has reached a peaceful end. We are extremely happy that the land boundary issue has finally been resolved. I appreciate Prime Minister Modis leadership in achieving this. We also thank the people and all the political parties in India for their unequivocal support to the agreement, she said. Hasina also said that the signing of the Coastal Shipping Agreement, the renewal of the Trade Agreement and the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade, as well as the flagging off new bus services are examples of the commitment to seamless connectivity across the region to reduce inequalities and maximizing welfare gains. The new trade facilitation measures incorporated in these agreements would create new opportunities for more trade, investment and business, she said. We have very good cooperation in power and energy sectors, she added. On the trade imbalance, Sheikh Hasina said that Prime Minister Modi was receptive to the issue of growing trade deficit and assured of his governments cooperation. To bring balance in trade between the two countries, we agreed to establish Special Economic Zones in Mongla and Bheramara for India. We hope this would increase Indian investment in Bangladesh substantially, she said. The Prime Minister said a discussion was also held with her Indian counterpart on the issues of sharing of water of 54 common rivers. We both reiterated our strong commitments to make our borders peaceful and prosperous. We also pledged zero tolerance against terrorism and extremism, she said. People-to-people contact is the strongest of our links, said the prime minister, adding, Together, we decided to open Bangladesh Mission in Guwahati and Indian Missions in Khulna and Sylhet. This again reflects our growing mutual confidence and shared commitment to expand our bilateral relationships, said Hasina.