New Delhi: External Affairs Secretary Vinay Kwatra explained that 10 agreements were signed today between India and Bangladesh, including health and fisheries.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived in India yesterday (Friday) on a two-day visit, today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Hyderabad residence in Delhi and held talks. After the meeting of the two leaders, a consultative meeting was held in the presence of the ministers and senior officials of the two countries. Subsequently, various agreements were signed between the two countries in the presence of the two leaders.
After the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, External Affairs Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra spoke to the media about the meeting and the MoUs signed. He then said, “The current visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is part of a series of high-level political engagements between the two countries. Agreements were signed today in the presence of the two leaders to give a new direction and impetus to the relationship between the two countries. Cooperation to enhance connectivity, trade and shared opportunities between the two countries. The leaders also announced jointly.
Both leaders agreed to intensify engagement in counter-terrorism and peaceful border management. Common rivers and their management are of utmost importance to both countries before starting discussions on renewing the 1996 Ganga Water Sharing Agreement on a bilateral partnership basis. With this in mind, the protection and management of Teesta River in Bangladesh will be ensured with Indian assistance.
Bangladesh is a key country in India’s maritime doctrine and Indo-Pacific vision. A Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy was signed today. The agreement aims to enhance our maritime economy and maritime cooperation.
A memorandum of understanding on space technology between India and Bangladesh was also signed today. Both leaders emphasized the need and interest in enhancing bilateral defense cooperation for both the modernization of Bangladesh’s armed forces and defense-industrial cooperation between the two countries.
We are launching a new passenger train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata. We are also about to start another bus service between Kolkata and Chittagong, Bangladesh. It has been decided to export electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through Indian grid and the electricity trade agreement was signed today.
Another important step in the partnership between the two countries is that India will soon provide medical visa facility. With this, Bangladeshis can use this special e-Visa facility to seek medical treatment in India.
Also, India agreed to open a new Indian Consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh. India is the largest market for Bangladeshi products in Asia. Today (Saturday), 10 agreements have been signed between India and Bangladesh in the fields of health, fisheries and human resource development. The visit of the two leaders, the discussion and the results are very important,” he said.
