Dhaka, Delhi ink 36 instruments

MoUs on $4.5b under 3rd LoC, $500m on defence cooperation among documents signed

Bangladesh and India yesterday signed 36 bilateral instruments in the shape of agreement, memorandums of understanding, standard operating procedures (SOP) and so on covering a wide range of areas including two MoUs on defence cooperation and an option to make defence purchase.
The other instruments encompass cooperation in the fields of economy, power and energy, peaceful use of nuclear energy, outer space, information technology and mass media.
The Indian external affairs ministry, however, said that 22 deals and MoUs were signed between the two close-door neighbours.
“I suggest that the number of bilateral documents signed between India and Bangladesh is 36. The bilateral documents include MoUs, agreements, SOP and so on,” Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque told a press conference in New Delhi in the evening.
When an Indian journalist citing their external affairs ministry raised a question about the number of documents signed, Haque replied: “It’s 36 not 22, and you (Indian journalist) ask your external affairs ministry about the figure”.
The Indian external affairs ministry in the press conference held after that of the Bangladesh side again confirmed that 22 documents were signed.
The documents were signed after the official talks between Bangladesh and India at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The two prime ministers witnessed the signing ceremony of the documents at Hyderabad House, Indian Prime Minister's Office.
Four of the documents -- MoU on bilateral judicial sector cooperation, MoU on extending 3rd Line of Credit by India to Bangladesh worth $4.5 billion, MoU on cooperation of peaceful use of outer space and MoU on passenger and cruise services on the coastal and protocol route -- were exchanged prior to the joint press statements.
Other MoUs signed includes one on extending defence LOC of $500 million.
Earlier, the two prime ministers along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated new passenger bus services for
Khulna-Kolkata route, trial run of Khulna-Kolkata Second Maitree Express and re-opening of Birol-Radhikapur rail route for freight.
They also flagged off the naming a major Delhi road, Park Street, after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They also released the publication of the Hindi translation of Bangabandhu’s unfinished memoirs.  In their statements, both the leaders voiced their resolve to fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
Modi was full of praise for Bangladesh’s zero tolerance towards terrorism and laid emphasis on enhanced cooperation between Dhaka and Delhi in this regard.
“We both pledged zero tolerance against terrorism and violent extremism and reiterated our strong commitment to make our borders peaceful and free from criminal activities,” said Sheikh Hasina.
“We discussed all aspects of our ever growing relationship to enhance our understanding about mutual concerns and priorities,” she said. India is our most important neighbour and one of key development partners of Bangladesh,” she added.
Hasina said that many initiatives between respective organisations have been undertaken to further strengthen cooperation in the power and energy sectors.
She said that her Indian counterpart was ‘receptive’ to the issue of growing trade deficit and assured of his government’s concrete steps to address this.
“We have also discussed on the review of anti-dumping duties imposed on jute export from Bangladesh and resolved the issue,” she added. “We have discussed other issues to promote trade and investments between our two countries,” said the prime minister.
Hasina said the people-to-people contact is the strength of links between the two countries.
Indian Prime Minister Modi said, “The extraordinary transformation in our relationship and achievements of our partnership are a clear recognition of your strong and decisive leadership.”
“Sheikh Hasina and I held productive and comprehensive discussions on the full range of our partnership. We agreed that the agenda of our cooperation has to remain focused on purposeful action.”
“We specifically looked at charting new avenues and tapping fresh opportunities in advancing our relationship. We want to build cooperation in new areas, especially some high-technology areas that have a deeper connect with the youth in both our societies,” Modi said.
“These would include working in the fields of electronics, information technology, cyber security, space exploration, civil nuclear energy, and others areas,” he said.
“I am happy to announce a new concessional Line of Credit of 4.5 billion dollars for the implementation of projects in priority sectors for Bangladesh,” he said.
“Energy Security is an important dimension of our development partnership. And, our energy partnership continues to grow. Today, we added an additional 60 Mega Watt of power to the 600 Mega Watt of power already flowing from India to Bangladesh. The supply of another 500 Mega Watt has already been committed from the existing inter-connection,” he added.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and I recognise the need to diversify our commercial engagement. Not just to forge wide-ranging business partnerships between our two economies. But also for greater regional benefit. In this, a major part of the effort has to be from the business and industry of the two countries,” said the Indian Prime Minister.
“While our partnership brings prosperity to our people, it also works to protect them from forces of radicalisation and extremism. Their spread poses a grave threat, not just to India and Bangladesh but to the entire region,” he said, adding, “We have the greatest admiration for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s firm resolve in dealing with terrorism.”
“Her Government’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards terrorism is an inspiration for all of us,” he added.
Modi also said that Bangladesh and India have agreed to jointly produce a film on the life and works of Bangabandhu which will be released on his birth centenary year in 2020. Later in the afternoon, Prime Miniser Sheikh Hasina honoured seven of 1,661 Indian soldiers, who died during Bangladesh’s War of Independence.
In a ceremony at the Delhi Cantonment, Prime Minister handed over the crests to the families of the seven fallen soldiers in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Modi.
On behalf of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Hasina expressed deepest gratitude for the contributions of the Indian soldiers.
On the other hand, Modi deeply appreciated the initiative of Bangladesh to honour the fallen Indian soldiers. 

No. Major Deals/MoUs signed between Bangladesh and india

1. MoU on defence cooperation framework
2. MoU for enhancing cooperation in the field of strategic and
operational studies
3. MoU for enhancing cooperation in the field of national security,
development and strategic studies
4. MoU on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
5. Agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy
6. Arrangement for the exchange of technical information and
co-operation in the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection
7. Inter-Agency agreement on cooperation regarding nuclear power plant
projects in Bangladesh
8. MoU on co-operation in the field of information technology and electronics
9. MoU on cooperation in the area of cyber security
10. MoU on establishing border haats across the border between India and Bangladesh
11. MoU on bilateral judicial sector cooperation
12. MoU on training and capacity building programme for Bangladeshi
judicial officers in India
13. MoU concerning Cooperation on aids to navigation
14. MoU on mutual scientific cooperation in the field of earth
sciences for research and development
15. MoU & SOPs on passenger and cruise services on the coastal and protocol route
16. MoU on development of fairway from Sirajganj to Daikhowa and Ashuganj to Zakiganj on Indo-Bangladesh protocol route
17. MoU on cooperation in the field of mass media
18. Audio-visual Co-production Agreement
19. MoU for extending Defence LoC of  $500 million
20. Agreement for the regulation of motor vehicle passenger traffic
(Khulna-Kolkata route) and SOP of the agreement
21. MoU for extending a 3rd line of credit (LoC) involving $4.5 billion
22. Financing agreement for the construction of 36 community clinics in Bangladesh

 

Dhaka, Delhi ink 36 instruments

MoUs on $4.5b under 3rd LoC, $500m on defence cooperation among documents signed

Bangladesh and India yesterday signed 36 bilateral instruments in the shape of agreement, memorandums of understanding, standard operating procedures (SOP) and so on covering a wide range of areas including two MoUs on defence cooperation and an option to make defence purchase. The other instruments encompass cooperation in the fields of economy, power and energy, peaceful use of nuclear energy, outer space, information technology and mass media. The Indian external affairs ministry, however, said that 22 deals and MoUs were signed between the two close-door neighbours. I suggest that the number of bilateral documents signed between India and Bangladesh is 36. The bilateral documents include MoUs, agreements, SOP and so on, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque told a press conference in New Delhi in the evening. When an Indian journalist citing their external affairs ministry raised a question about the number of documents signed, Haque replied: Its 36 not 22, and you (Indian journalist) ask your external affairs ministry about the figure. The Indian external affairs ministry in the press conference held after that of the Bangladesh side again confirmed that 22 documents were signed. The documents were signed after the official talks between Bangladesh and India at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The two prime ministers witnessed the signing ceremony of the documents at Hyderabad House, Indian Prime Ministers Office. Four of the documents -- MoU on bilateral judicial sector cooperation, MoU on extending 3rd Line of Credit by India to Bangladesh worth $4.5 billion, MoU on cooperation of peaceful use of outer space and MoU on passenger and cruise services on the coastal and protocol route -- were exchanged prior to the joint press statements. Other MoUs signed includes one on extending defence LOC of $500 million. Earlier, the two prime ministers along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated new passenger bus services for Khulna-Kolkata route, trial run of Khulna-Kolkata Second Maitree Express and re-opening of Birol-Radhikapur rail route for freight. They also flagged off the naming a major Delhi road, Park Street, after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. They also released the publication of the Hindi translation of Bangabandhus unfinished memoirs. In their statements, both the leaders voiced their resolve to fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Modi was full of praise for Bangladeshs zero tolerance towards terrorism and laid emphasis on enhanced cooperation between Dhaka and Delhi in this regard. We both pledged zero tolerance against terrorism and violent extremism and reiterated our strong commitment to make our borders peaceful and free from criminal activities, said Sheikh Hasina. We discussed all aspects of our ever growing relationship to enhance our understanding about mutual concerns and priorities, she said. India is our most important neighbour and one of key development partners of Bangladesh, she added. Hasina said that many initiatives between respective organisations have been undertaken to further strengthen cooperation in the power and energy sectors. She said that her Indian counterpart was receptive to the issue of growing trade deficit and assured of his governments concrete steps to address this. We have also discussed on the review of anti-dumping duties imposed on jute export from Bangladesh and resolved the issue, she added. We have discussed other issues to promote trade and investments between our two countries, said the prime minister. Hasina said the people-to-people contact is the strength of links between the two countries. Indian Prime Minister Modi said, The extraordinary transformation in our relationship and achievements of our partnership are a clear recognition of your strong and decisive leadership. Sheikh Hasina and I held productive and comprehensive discussions on the full range of our partnership. We agreed that the agenda of our cooperation has to remain focused on purposeful action. We specifically looked at charting new avenues and tapping fresh opportunities in advancing our relationship. We want to build cooperation in new areas, especially some high-technology areas that have a deeper connect with the youth in both our societies, Modi said. These would include working in the fields of electronics, information technology, cyber security, space exploration, civil nuclear energy, and others areas, he said. I am happy to announce a new concessional Line of Credit of 4.5 billion dollars for the implementation of projects in priority sectors for Bangladesh, he said. Energy Security is an important dimension of our development partnership. And, our energy partnership continues to grow. Today, we added an additional 60 Mega Watt of power to the 600 Mega Watt of power already flowing from India to Bangladesh. The supply of another 500 Mega Watt has already been committed from the existing inter-connection, he added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and I recognise the need to diversify our commercial engagement. Not just to forge wide-ranging business partnerships between our two economies. But also for greater regional benefit. In this, a major part of the effort has to be from the business and industry of the two countries, said the Indian Prime Minister. While our partnership brings prosperity to our people, it also works to protect them from forces of radicalisation and extremism. Their spread poses a grave threat, not just to India and Bangladesh but to the entire region, he said, adding, We have the greatest admiration for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas firm resolve in dealing with terrorism. Her Governments zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism is an inspiration for all of us, he added. Modi also said that Bangladesh and India have agreed to jointly produce a film on the life and works of Bangabandhu which will be released on his birth centenary year in 2020. Later in the afternoon, Prime Miniser Sheikh Hasina honoured seven of 1,661 Indian soldiers, who died during Bangladeshs War of Independence. In a ceremony at the Delhi Cantonment, Prime Minister handed over the crests to the families of the seven fallen soldiers in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Modi. On behalf of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Hasina expressed deepest gratitude for the contributions of the Indian soldiers. On the other hand, Modi deeply appreciated the initiative of Bangladesh to honour the fallen Indian soldiers. No. Major Deals/MoUs signed between Bangladesh and india 1. MoU on defence cooperation framework 2. MoU for enhancing cooperation in the field of strategic and operational studies 3. MoU for enhancing cooperation in the field of national security, development and strategic studies 4. MoU on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space 5. Agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy 6. Arrangement for the exchange of technical information and co-operation in the regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection 7. Inter-Agency agreement on cooperation regarding nuclear power plant projects in Bangladesh 8. MoU on co-operation in the field of information technology and electronics 9. MoU on cooperation in the area of cyber security 10. MoU on establishing border haats across the border between India and Bangladesh 11. MoU on bilateral judicial sector cooperation 12. MoU on training and capacity building programme for Bangladeshi judicial officers in India 13. MoU concerning Cooperation on aids to navigation 14. MoU on mutual scientific cooperation in the field of earth sciences for research and development 15. MoU SOPs on passenger and cruise services on the coastal and protocol route 16. MoU on development of fairway from Sirajganj to Daikhowa and Ashuganj to Zakiganj on Indo-Bangladesh protocol route 17. MoU on cooperation in the field of mass media 18. Audio-visual Co-production Agreement 19. MoU for extending Defence LoC of $500 million 20. Agreement for the regulation of motor vehicle passenger traffic (Khulna-Kolkata route) and SOP of the agreement 21. MoU for extending a 3rd line of credit (LoC) involving $4.5 billion 22. Financing agreement for the construction of 36 community clinics in Bangladesh