Dhaka, Delhi discuss ways to expand cooperation

Bangladesh and India yesterday discussed ways on how the ‘multi-sectoral cooperation’ between the two countries can be expanded, and laid emphasis on sub-regional and regional cooperation, reports UNB. The foreign secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi discussed issues, including Teesta water-sharing, border killing, security and connectivity. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar also discussed issues relating to power, energy, science and technology and people-to-people contacts, according to Indian media reports. The two sides focused on reviewing developments since the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in June 2015. Tweeting after the meeting, Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “Building the partnership with another close neighbour. The Foreign Secretaries of India and Bangladesh hold talks.” Shahidul Haque is expected to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his stay in Delhi.  He is likely to brief the media this afternoon. Kumkum Chadha from New Delhi: Teesta apart, the meeting was a stock-take of the improving relationship between the two countries and chalk a roadmap for the future and the direction both countries should take to further strengthen the engagement between the two countries. Earlier in a briefing, spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that both countries have good bilateral ties. The ties, he said, got a new momentum with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka last year. Bangladesh and India, it is well known, implemented the historic Land Boundary last year fuifilling it long standing promise to resolve the boundary issue.  The other equally contentious issue, Teesta waters, still awaits resolution. Bangladesh is also keen to have a joint basin management system for equitable use of waters of the common rivers. It wants to set up a joint basin management method with India. This, Bangladesh sees, as a “win-win position.”

Dhaka, Delhi discuss ways to expand cooperation

Bangladesh and India yesterday discussed ways on how the multi-sectoral cooperation between the two countries can be expanded, and laid emphasis on sub-regional and regional cooperation, reports UNB. The foreign secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi discussed issues, including Teesta water-sharing, border killing, security and connectivity. Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar also discussed issues relating to power, energy, science and technology and people-to-people contacts, according to Indian media reports. The two sides focused on reviewing developments since the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Bangladesh in June 2015. Tweeting after the meeting, Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, Building the partnership with another close neighbour. The Foreign Secretaries of India and Bangladesh hold talks. Shahidul Haque is expected to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during his stay in Delhi. He is likely to brief the media this afternoon. Kumkum Chadha from New Delhi: Teesta apart, the meeting was a stock-take of the improving relationship between the two countries and chalk a roadmap for the future and the direction both countries should take to further strengthen the engagement between the two countries. Earlier in a briefing, spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that both countries have good bilateral ties. The ties, he said, got a new momentum with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka last year. Bangladesh and India, it is well known, implemented the historic Land Boundary last year fuifilling it long standing promise to resolve the boundary issue. The other equally contentious issue, Teesta waters, still awaits resolution. Bangladesh is also keen to have a joint basin management system for equitable use of waters of the common rivers. It wants to set up a joint basin management method with India. This, Bangladesh sees, as a win-win position.