Hope for a new dawn

Modi receives Hasina in Delhi breaking protocol

In an unexpected move, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi welcomed his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina when the latter arrived at the tarmac of the Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi yesterday, kicking off her much hyped 4-day state visit.
Modi’s presence at the airport is a ‘departure from the usual Indian practice’ to receive a guest.
“Even five minutes before our PM’s arrival, nobody knew that Prime Minister Modi will receive her,” said Farid Hossain, Minister (Press) of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
According to the programme schedule, Babul Supriyo, Indian Minister of State, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, was due to receive Hasina at the airport.
“Delighted to welcome Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, on her state visit to India,” Indian PM Modi tweeted after he greeted Hasina at the airport.
“PM Sheikh Hasina and I are determined to take the relationship between our nations to a new level,” he said in another tweet.
From the airport, Hasina travelled to Rashtrapati Bhaban (Presidential palace) where she will reside during his stay in India at the personal invitation of the Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee.
Despite these gestures of warm hospitality by the Indians, the success of her second bilateral visit in seven years will depend upon the outcomes of her one to one and delegation-level bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi today (Saturday) at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, said the sources.
The perception among the commoners is India does not reciprocate Bangladesh’s generous gestures towards the neighbouring country by addressing Indian security concern and many other things, they said.
On the other hand, they pointed out that New Delhi has not been addressing issues of Bangladesh’s importance like Teesta water sharing agreement, killing of Bangladeshis by the Indian Border Security Force along the border, share of waters of the common rivers, adverse effect of Farakka Barrage and trade imbalance.
Until there is reciprocity from the Indian side, the sources said that there is a little chance of change of people’s ‘negative feeling towards India’.  
According to Tarik A Karim, the immediate-past High Commissioner to India, “In the public space, there is growing perception that India got all that it wanted, but Bangladesh must live on continuing hope, on promises yet to be fulfilled (read Teesta). To neutralise this quickly, the forthcoming visit of Sheikh Hasina should enable her to return to Bangladesh with a few big tickets that will, if not finally bring to closure the Teesta issue, at least put it in larger, more strategic, perspective and reducing its magnified importance in the overall scheme of things.”
There are more than one aspects in Dhaka’s relationship with New Delhi, said the sources.
“The government to government relationship at the moment is very strong. People’s feeling towards Indian people is good. But, the feeling among majority of the people of Bangladesh towards India is not positive, which is very crucial to further cultivate the relationship,” said a source.
“We can only hope that this visit will not be a mere diplomatic obligation rather it will have some good outcomes in Bangladesh’s favour which will help in changing people’s mindset in Bangladesh,” said another source.
During the bilateral talks today, the two prime ministers will discuss all the aspects of the bilateral relations.
The issues relating to Teesta water sharing agreement, water sharing of common rivers, basin-wise water resources management, Ganges barrage, defence cooperation, connectivity, protection of border, connectivity, bilateral trade expansion, power and energy, sub-regional cooperation and drug and human trafficking will be get prominence.
India will declare a third line of credit (LOC) worth $5b and a separate line of credit of $5m for defence purchase. According to Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, a total of 33 agreements and deals are expected to be signed after the bilateral talks between the two Prime Ministers.
He, however, would not say how many of them would be agreements and MoUs.
The bilateral instruments are mainly related to defence cooperation, third Indian line of credit, power and energy, establishment of information and broadcasting, civil nuclear cooperation, ICT, satellite and space research, geology, border haats and establishment of community clinics, he added.
But, Sripriya Ranganathan, joint secretary of Bangladesh desk at the Indian External Affairs Ministry told a briefing on Thursday that 20 ‘meaningful’ deals will be inked during the visit.
She also said that two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on defence cooperation will be signed during this trip.
One MoU will be on a framework on defence cooperation which will provide a platform for cooperation, said Sripriya, adding that initially it will be signed for five years with an option of renewal.
The other MoU, she said, will be relating to an option that will enable Bangladesh to make defence purchase worth $5m.
Following the bilateral meeting, the two Prime Minister will inaugurate movement of good trains on Birol-Radhikapur route, passenger bus service and train services on Khulna Kolkata route, supply of additional 60 megawatt of electricity from Tripura and inaugurate a road that will be named after Prime Minister Hasina’s father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina and Modi will also jointly unveil the cover of the Hindi version of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s unfinished memoirs.
A joint statement will be issued after the meeting between the two Heads of the government.
In the afternoon, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the Bangladeshi Head of the government at the Rashtrapati Bhaban.
Later, the premier attended a reception hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission at the chancery. Later, she had dinner at the Bangladesh House, the official residence of the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in India.
At 9:00am today, the highlight of the visit, the prime minister will begin her day with a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhaban including reception by her Indian counterpart, photo opportunity, presentation of arms, national anthems, inspection of guard of honour and introductions to front rank.
After this ceremony, she will visit Rajghat (Memorial for Mahatma Gandhi) to pay tribute to the Indian Father of the Nation.
At 11:30, Hasina will hold a one to one meeting for half an hour at the Hyderabad House followed by Bilateral delegation level talks between the two sides led by the Prime Ministers, signing and exchange of agreements and MoUs, release of Hindi translation of Bangabandhu’s unfinished memoirs and joint press statement.
She will also attend a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi. In the afternoon, she will attend a programme to honour the fallen soldiers of the war of independence. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will call the prime minister in the same afternoon followed by the latter’s call on Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
Tomorrow, Hasina will depart Delhi to offer prayers at Ajmeer Sharif and will return Delhi in the afternoon. At 7 pm, she will call on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee followed by a cultural show before a dinner hosted by the Indian President.
On Sunday, the last day of the tour, Hasina will attend a business event at a local hotel. While in New Delhi, an Indian think tank will also accord a reception in her honour.
She will fly back to Dhaka by a special Biman flight at 3:30pm (Indian time) and will reach Dhaka at 6:20pm (Bangladesh time).

Hope for a new dawn

Modi receives Hasina in Delhi breaking protocol

In an unexpected move, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi welcomed his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina when the latter arrived at the tarmac of the Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi yesterday, kicking off her much hyped 4-day state visit. Modis presence at the airport is a departure from the usual Indian practice to receive a guest. Even five minutes before our PMs arrival, nobody knew that Prime Minister Modi will receive her, said Farid Hossain, Minister (Press) of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. According to the programme schedule, Babul Supriyo, Indian Minister of State, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, was due to receive Hasina at the airport. Delighted to welcome Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, on her state visit to India, Indian PM Modi tweeted after he greeted Hasina at the airport. PM Sheikh Hasina and I are determined to take the relationship between our nations to a new level, he said in another tweet. From the airport, Hasina travelled to Rashtrapati Bhaban (Presidential palace) where she will reside during his stay in India at the personal invitation of the Indian President, Pranab Mukherjee. Despite these gestures of warm hospitality by the Indians, the success of her second bilateral visit in seven years will depend upon the outcomes of her one to one and delegation-level bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi today (Saturday) at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, said the sources. The perception among the commoners is India does not reciprocate Bangladeshs generous gestures towards the neighbouring country by addressing Indian security concern and many other things, they said. On the other hand, they pointed out that New Delhi has not been addressing issues of Bangladeshs importance like Teesta water sharing agreement, killing of Bangladeshis by the Indian Border Security Force along the border, share of waters of the common rivers, adverse effect of Farakka Barrage and trade imbalance. Until there is reciprocity from the Indian side, the sources said that there is a little chance of change of peoples negative feeling towards India. According to Tarik A Karim, the immediate-past High Commissioner to India, In the public space, there is growing perception that India got all that it wanted, but Bangladesh must live on continuing hope, on promises yet to be fulfilled (read Teesta). To neutralise this quickly, the forthcoming visit of Sheikh Hasina should enable her to return to Bangladesh with a few big tickets that will, if not finally bring to closure the Teesta issue, at least put it in larger, more strategic, perspective and reducing its magnified importance in the overall scheme of things. There are more than one aspects in Dhakas relationship with New Delhi, said the sources. The government to government relationship at the moment is very strong. Peoples feeling towards Indian people is good. But, the feeling among majority of the people of Bangladesh towards India is not positive, which is very crucial to further cultivate the relationship, said a source. We can only hope that this visit will not be a mere diplomatic obligation rather it will have some good outcomes in Bangladeshs favour which will help in changing peoples mindset in Bangladesh, said another source. During the bilateral talks today, the two prime ministers will discuss all the aspects of the bilateral relations. The issues relating to Teesta water sharing agreement, water sharing of common rivers, basin-wise water resources management, Ganges barrage, defence cooperation, connectivity, protection of border, connectivity, bilateral trade expansion, power and energy, sub-regional cooperation and drug and human trafficking will be get prominence. India will declare a third line of credit (LOC) worth $5b and a separate line of credit of $5m for defence purchase. According to Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, a total of 33 agreements and deals are expected to be signed after the bilateral talks between the two Prime Ministers. He, however, would not say how many of them would be agreements and MoUs. The bilateral instruments are mainly related to defence cooperation, third Indian line of credit, power and energy, establishment of information and broadcasting, civil nuclear cooperation, ICT, satellite and space research, geology, border haats and establishment of community clinics, he added. But, Sripriya Ranganathan, joint secretary of Bangladesh desk at the Indian External Affairs Ministry told a briefing on Thursday that 20 meaningful deals will be inked during the visit. She also said that two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on defence cooperation will be signed during this trip. One MoU will be on a framework on defence cooperation which will provide a platform for cooperation, said Sripriya, adding that initially it will be signed for five years with an option of renewal. The other MoU, she said, will be relating to an option that will enable Bangladesh to make defence purchase worth $5m. Following the bilateral meeting, the two Prime Minister will inaugurate movement of good trains on Birol-Radhikapur route, passenger bus service and train services on Khulna Kolkata route, supply of additional 60 megawatt of electricity from Tripura and inaugurate a road that will be named after Prime Minister Hasinas father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina and Modi will also jointly unveil the cover of the Hindi version of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans unfinished memoirs. A joint statement will be issued after the meeting between the two Heads of the government. In the afternoon, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on the Bangladeshi Head of the government at the Rashtrapati Bhaban. Later, the premier attended a reception hosted by the Bangladesh High Commission at the chancery. Later, she had dinner at the Bangladesh House, the official residence of the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in India. At 9:00am today, the highlight of the visit, the prime minister will begin her day with a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhaban including reception by her Indian counterpart, photo opportunity, presentation of arms, national anthems, inspection of guard of honour and introductions to front rank. After this ceremony, she will visit Rajghat (Memorial for Mahatma Gandhi) to pay tribute to the Indian Father of the Nation. At 11:30, Hasina will hold a one to one meeting for half an hour at the Hyderabad House followed by Bilateral delegation level talks between the two sides led by the Prime Ministers, signing and exchange of agreements and MoUs, release of Hindi translation of Bangabandhus unfinished memoirs and joint press statement. She will also attend a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi. In the afternoon, she will attend a programme to honour the fallen soldiers of the war of independence. Congress President Sonia Gandhi will call the prime minister in the same afternoon followed by the latters call on Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari. Tomorrow, Hasina will depart Delhi to offer prayers at Ajmeer Sharif and will return Delhi in the afternoon. At 7 pm, she will call on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee followed by a cultural show before a dinner hosted by the Indian President. On Sunday, the last day of the tour, Hasina will attend a business event at a local hotel. While in New Delhi, an Indian think tank will also accord a reception in her honour. She will fly back to Dhaka by a special Biman flight at 3:30pm (Indian time) and will reach Dhaka at 6:20pm (Bangladesh time).