NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh reiterated on Thursday their strong commitment to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Sheikh Hasina On Thursday a virtual summit was held, during which they jointly inaugurated the Chilahati-Haldibari railway route, which links the two neighboring countries.
According to a joint statement, both sides held extensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
“Recognizing that terrorism continues to be a threat to world peace and security, both parties reiterated their firm commitment to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” the statement read.
PM Modi and Hasina expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations based on “shared ties of history, culture, language and other unique commonalities that characterize the partnership.”
“They emphasized that the relations between Bangladesh and India are based on brotherly ties and reflect a global partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that transcends a strategic partnership,” the statement read.
They paid tribute to the martyrs of the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Muktijoddhas and the Indian soldiers, for their sacrifices in 1971. “They promised to uphold and protect the cherished values of democracy and equality in line with the aspirations of the people of the two countries. friends, “he added.
The two parties signed seven Memoranda of Understanding, including on the hydrocarbon sector.
According to the joint statement, the two leaders welcomed the signing of the Framework of Understanding on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbons Sector, which would further increase energy links by streamlining investments, technology transfer, joint studies, training and promotion of the connectivity of hydrocarbons.
“Both parties expressed satisfaction with the strong cooperation in the energy and energy sector, including the private sector. It was agreed to accelerate the implementation of projects, including the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, as well as other projects”. the statement read.
During the summit, New Delhi and Dhaka agreed to strengthen subregional cooperation, including with Nepal and Bhutan on energy.
“It was also agreed to improve cooperation on energy efficiency and clean energy, including biofuels. In line with the commitment of both countries to move towards green, clean and renewable energy sources, it was agreed to strengthen subregional cooperation, including with Nepal and Bhutan. Both parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of energy and energy connectivity, “he added.
Prime Minister Hasina highlighted the need for the early signing of an interim agreement to share the waters of Teesta, as agreed by both governments in 2011.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts in this regard.
The two leaders also stressed the need for an early conclusion of the Interim Agreement Framework on the exchange of waters of six joint rivers, namely Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.
During the summit, both leaders agreed to facilitate the completion of the border fence in all pending sectors between both countries at the beginning, starting with the Tripura (India) -Bangladesh sector.
Both leaders also agreed that the loss of civilian life at the border is a matter of concern and ordered the border forces involved to improve coordinated measures to work to reduce such border incidents to zero.
Leaders emphasized the full implementation of the ongoing Coordinated Border Management Plan. Both sides noted with satisfaction the recent intensified efforts by the two border guard forces against smuggling of weapons, narcotics and counterfeit currency and to prevent trafficking, particularly of women and children, “he added.
Prime Minister Modi and Hasina agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Boundary Conference to prepare a new set of strip maps, along the stretch of the Icchamati, Kalindi, Raimongol and Hariabhanga rivers from Main Pillar 1 to terminus of the land border, with a view to finalizing the delimitation of the limits as fixed. It was agreed to carry out the necessary work to convert the International Border along the Kuhsiyara River into a fixed border.
Prime Minister Hasina deeply appreciated India’s “warm gesture” in organizing various events on the occasion of the “Mujib Borsho (centennial anniversary of the birth of the leader of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) “.
The two prime ministers jointly unveiled a commemorative postage stamp issued by the government of India on the centenary of Bangabandhu Rahman’s birth.
In turn, Prime Minister Modi thanked the government of Bangladesh for issuing a stamp honoring Mahatma Gandhi in early September 2020, to mark the 150th anniversary of Gandhiji’s birth.
Noting that 2021 will be historic in the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, as the countries will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation War and the establishment of diplomatic relations between their neighbors, it was agreed to jointly organize various activities to commemorate the momentous events in India. , Bangladesh and third countries.
Prime Minister Hasina called on the Indian side to consider Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic highway from Mujib Nagar Nadia on the Bangladesh-India border as “Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historical significance of the road during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Both sides reiterated that regular group exchanges will continue to promote culture, education, science and technology, youth and sports, and the media.
Recognizing the immense potential of bilateral economic and trade ties, both Prime Ministers directed officials to quickly conclude the ongoing joint study on the prospects for entering into a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), according to the statement.
Prime Minister Hasina also appreciated the work of the New Development Bank and thanked India for inviting Bangladesh to join the Institution. He welcomed the bank’s work in multiple sectors, including infrastructure development, and expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to be part of the initiative.
Hasina also thanked Prime Minister Modi for accepting his invitation to visit Bangladesh in person in March 2021 to join the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India.
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