India and Bangladesh today exchanged agreements and renewed multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in different fields. These agreements include those in the areas of digital and green partnerships, maritime cooperation, the blue economy, health and medicine, space collaboration, railway connectivity, oceanography, disaster management, and fisheries. The agreements were exchanged after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
In a press statement, Prime Minister Modi said Bangladesh is situated at the confluence of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, Vision Sagar, and Indo-Pacific Vision. He said that in the last year, the two nations have together completed many important projects of public welfare. He added that the world’s longest river cruise on the Ganga between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed, along with the first cross-border friendship pipeline.
The Prime Minister said India will start an e-medical visa facility for people in Bangladesh for medical treatment. He added that a decision has also been taken to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur. Mr. Modi highlighted that both countries have kept connectivity, commerce, and collaboration in focus. and they will now focus on digital and energy connectivity even more, which will speed up the economies of both countries.
Prime Minister Modi mentioned that both sides are ready to initiate talks on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to take their economic ties to new heights. He also said they have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. Mr. Modi said that for the conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon.
In her press statement, the Bangladesh Prime Minister described India as a trusted friend and regional partner. She also invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Bangladesh to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries. Earlier this morning, a ceremonial reception was accorded to Sheikh Hasina at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged greetings with his Bangladeshi counterpart.
Both the prime ministers met Ministers and delegates from each other’s countries on the occasion. Later, Sheikh Hasina paid homage to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat in the national capital. The Bangladesh Prime Minister will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. Yesterday, she arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit to India.
