Bangladesh-India show heart- to-heart ties: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen found on Saturday stated Indian premier Narendra Modi’s click here reflected the ‘heart-to-heart’ ties between Bangladesh and India while Dhaka really wants to ensure development of the complete region utilizing this ‘golden chapter’ of relations.
“This heart-to-heart relation (between Bangladesh and India) can help us to make sure development of both countries as well as other nations of the region,” he told reporters at a media briefing in the administrative centre.
The foreign minister held the briefing to reveal outcomes of Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit here that also featured bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held today.
Momen said Dhaka saw the Indian primer’s visit in an exceedingly positive way seeing that Modi choose Bangladesh for his first overseas visit after one and a half year amid the COVID 19 pandemic. “This visit is a pride for all of us … they (India) became incredibly good friend of us,” he said.
About the bilateral talks between premiers of both countries, the foreign minister said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strongly raised the problems of Teesta river water sharing agreement and border killing.
He said the Bangladesh premier strongly underscored the necessity for alleviating the sufferings and keeping the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on the Teesta river basin
Momen said, the Indian premier showed great approach about the signing of substantially awaited Teesta water sharing arrangement and said they have been sincerely trying to create it possible.
“We do put our confidence on the assurance (signing of Teesta arrangement,” he stated adding that the Indian side reiterated, in principle, their consent about signing the agreement.
The Indian side also requested for early finalization of the draft of the interim agreement for sharing of water of the Feni River, pending with the Bangladesh side which have been agreed after by both sides in 2011, he added.
Regarding the border killing concern, Momen said, both leaders emphasized the importance of effective border management designed for ensuring a tranquil, steady and crime free border.
Both sides agreed that any death at the border is a matter of concern and directed the concerned border guarding forces to enhance people-oriented measures for ensuring border security and bring down such death of civilians to zero, he said.
Momen said the Indian premier suggested to open even more border haat to increase monetary activities along the frontier to lessen tragic incident like border killing.
The foreign minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested India, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, to play a strong role in the early repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas back again to Myanmar.
India assured its continued support in this regard while both premiers reiterated the importance of their safe, speedy and sustainable return to their homeland for the higher security of the spot, he added.
Momen said, both sides made a decision to introduce some joint device including holding Bangladesh-India organization summit to expedite the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Bangladesh proposed India to use Sydpur, Sylhet and Chittagong airports while regional aviation hub to boost the trade between the two countries.
The foreign minister said the Bangladesh side thanked the India for gifting 3.2 million doses of Oxford Astra Zeneca Covishield vaccine manufactured in India and valued the prompt delivery of the first batch of 5 million doses.
The Bangladesh side also requested the Indian side to facilitate regular delivery of the rest of the tranches of vaccine procured by Bangladesh from the Serum Institute of India.
India assured its best cooperation relative to its domestic exigencies and international commitments.
The foreign minister said both prime ministers reiterated the value of boosting connectivity for facilitating regional monetary integration for the benefits of all the parties involved.
India expressed gratitude for Primary Minister Hasina’s initiative of revitalizing the pre-1965 rail connectivity as well as for Bangladesh’s support for the many connectivity initiatives through rail, street and waterways.
Momen said Modi proposed to create Bangabandhu Chair in Delhi university and introduce Bangabandhu Lecture series found in India.
Besides, the foreign minister said, both prime ministers discussed about bilateral cooperation on different areas including security, strength, ICT, satellite, artificial cleverness and youth cooperation.
Foreign secretary Masud bin Momen also present at the briefing.
