Dhaka, September 2019 – Bangladesh and India are going to ink at least 12 instruments, mostly on economy, trade, education, culture, information and technology during the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day official visit to India.Besides, both Prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi would discuss on a number of bilateral issues including the signing of ‘framework agreement’ on common river water sharing including Teesta, initiative to ensure optimum use of Ganges water sharing treaty, cutting down to border killing to zero, easing the Visa process, increase mutual cooperation in maintaining regional peace and stability and resist terrorism.
In addition, Bangladesh would seek Indian cooperation in the process of repatriation of Rohingya people.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen came up with the statement before the journalists at a press conference on the occasion of the prime minister’s visit to India.
He said Prime minister Sheikh Hasina would leave Dhaka on Thursday to take part in the India Economic Summit in Delhi organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
This is going to be the first visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after her party Awami League form the government for the third consecutive terms.
During her visit to India from 3-6 October at the invitation of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, she will be flanked by a host of ministers like foreign minister, commerce minister, education minister, land minister, PM’s economic, international and private industry and investment advisers, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, state minister for foreign affairs, deputy minister for water resources, chairman of parliamentary standing committee on ministry of foreign affairs, officials of prime minister’s office, secretaries of different ministries and a host of eminent persons.
Foreign minister said, “Our Prime Minister would attend the India Economic Summit from 3-4 October. She would take part in the country strategy dialogue with the elected representatives of International Business Council on the first day of her visit.”
International Business Council is a forum of top 100 trade bodies of the world. Generally the leaders of G-20 are invited at the dialogue. The World Economic Forum would be chaired by its president and Norwegian politician and diplomat Borge Brende.
On Oct 4, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would exchange views with the guests of the concluding session of the Summit on improving South Asian regional cooperation. Deputy prime minister of Singapore and finance minister Heng Swee Keat would also take part at the session.
Later Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would have a courtesy call with Keat.
On 5 October, the delegation of both the countries led by both the prime ministers of Bangladesh and India would have a high level meeting at 11:30 am. The meeting would discuss elaborately on the bilateral issues between the two countries.
“We hope at least 10 to 12 instruments would be signed between the two friendly countries to further enhance cooperation in various levels,” AK Abdul Momen said.
Sources said three bilateral instruments on sharing of White Shipping Information, Air Services and the SOP on the use of Chittagong and Mongla port for the movement of goods to and from India would be signed.
The MoUs, likely to be signed during the visit, are focusing on youths and sports, BSTI, cultural exchange programme, textiles and jutes, trade remedial measures, coastal surveillance system, film co-production between the two countries, oceanographic research, Mirsarai SEZ, cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector, disaster relief, establishment of permanent office of EXIM Bank of India, ICT and cooperation in supporting start-ups-innovations and incubations.
Foreign minister in his briefing said, “Various effective initiatives would be taken to cut down the border killing to zero and curbing black marketing by strengthening the mutual communication and cooperation between the border forces of the two countries.”
“In order to increase people-to-people connectivity between the two countries various initiatives would be taken like free movement of Bangladesh nationals having Indian visa. We would also talk on increasing mutual cooperation to resist terrorism and maintain regional peace and stability,” he added.
Regarding the water sharing treaty, he said, “Joint initiatives would be taken to ensure optimum use of Ganges water sharing treaty. Discussion will also be held on signing a framework agreement regarding water sharing of common rivers including Teesta.”
The foreign minister said, “Initiatives would be taken to sign ‘BBIN MVA’ agreement to increase regional and sub-regional cooperation. We would also discussion on increasing rail, air and road communication.”
During the visit, prime minister would discuss on joint celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, fifty years anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh and 50 years anniversary of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. – Staff Reporter
