By Firstdespatch Desk Sep 06, 2022
Bangladesh and India are two natural friends, which share a long border of about 4000 km and also share common language and culture. 54 rivers crisscross between the two countries, which were connected with common communication network. For many reasons India should remain grateful to Bangladesh and vice-versa. A good relation is always based on reciprocity.
After all, during the last 13 years, Sheikh Hasina acted against fundamentalists and war criminals in her country that were not only threatening the secular character of Bangladesh but were rabidly anti-India.
She also ably led the crackdown on Indian insurgents that were operating from Bangladesh soil.
India and its eastern neighbor Bangladesh signs agreement
India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed a water-sharing agreement and six other pacts, including ones on space technology and scientific collaboration, aimed at boosting ties between the two countries. The agreement will benefit southern parts of Assam state in India and the Sylhet region in Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. But a much-anticipated agreement on another river remained at an impasse. For decades, Bangladesh has pushed for a pact on water sharing for the Teesta River, a major transboundary river that begins in India’s Sikkim state and runs through the north of West Bengal state before flowing into Bangladesh.
As long as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is around, New Delhi and Dhaka will find a solution to all bilateral problems, including the Teesta River water-sharing issue, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said Tuesday. PM Narendra Modi welcomed his Bangladesh counterpart on Tuesday morning at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she was accorded the ceremonial Guard of Honour. Speaking about her upcoming talks with PM Modi, she added: “With friendship, you can solve any problem. So, we always do that.
India, Bangladesh sign water-sharing deal, in boost to ties
India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed a water-sharing agreement and six other pacts, including ones on space technology and scientific collaboration, aimed at boosting ties between the two countries.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making a four-day visit to India that is seen as politically significant in her home country, which is scheduled to hold a general election next year. The two leaders agreed to share the waters of the Kushiyara, a common river, in the first such arrangement between the countries since 1996.
The agreement will benefit southern parts of Assam state in India and the Sylhet region in Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. But a much-anticipated agreement on another river remained at an impasse. For decades, Bangladesh has pushed for a pact on water sharing for the Teesta River, a major transboundary river that begins in India’s Sikkim state and runs through the north of West Bengal state before flowing into Bangladesh.
Can resolve all problems with Modi at helm in India: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina
As long as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is around, New Delhi and Dhaka will find a solution to all bilateral problems, including the Teesta River water-sharing issue, visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Tuesday.
Speaking after a meeting with Modi in Delhi, Hasina said: “…both the countries have achieved remarkable progress in a number of areas, I recall that the two countries have resolved many outstanding issues in the spirit of friendship and cooperation and will hope that all outstanding issues including the Teesta water-sharing treaty would be concluded at an early date.”
PM Sheikh Hasina in India: India must be a friend in deed
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, in Delhi on a four-day visit, will hope to return with a bag full of crucial agreements that could stand her in good stead in the country’s next election towards the end of 2023.
Last month, when Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen declared at a public gathering that India must ensure PM Hasina stays on in the interests of regional stability, the statement caused red faces on both sides, and the minister did not find place in Hasina’s delegation to Delhi.
It is no secret that India would be more than pleased if PM Hasina were to win a fourth consecutive term. India-Bangladesh ties have seen their best phase under her premiership from 2009.
Must face together forces that attack mutual trust: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India and Bangladesh should jointly face terrorist and fundamentalist forces that threaten to attack mutual trust between the two countries. Modi made these remarks after bilateral talks with visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who made a strong pitch for early conclusion of the Teesta water sharing agreement.
"Today we also stressed on cooperation against terrorism and fundamentalism. To keep the spirit of 1971 alive, it is also very necessary that we face such forces together, who want to attack our mutual trust," Modi said.
India and Bangladesh signed seven agreements after the talks between Modi and Hasina, including one on sharing of waters of Kushiyara river which is expected to benefit the regions of southern Assam and Bangladesh's Sylhet region.
'Hope Bangladesh, India resolve all outstanding issues soon': Hasina
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday exuded confidence that India and Bangladesh will be able to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Teesta water-sharing treaty, soon.
“The two countries have resolved many outstanding issues and we hope that all outstanding issues, including Teesta water-sharing treaty, would be concluded at an early date,” she said while issuing a joint statement with PM Narendra Modi, in New Delhi.
India to start economic partnership talks with Bangladesh
India will start talks on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.
"We also decided to increase cooperation in sectors such as IT, space and nuclear energy," Modi said after holding talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina, who is on a four-day visit to India.
Both countries have been involved in a joint study on the CEPA, which has been in discussions between the two neighbours for many years. Bangladesh is India's largest development partner and the largest regional trade partner, Modi said.
Today Bangladesh is our biggest trade partner, says PM Modi
Addressing a joint-press conference with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of bilateral talks between the two countries, PM Modi said: "Trade between India-Bangladesh is increasing rapidly. We have decided to extend cooperation in the IT, Space and Nuclear sectors. Talks are also underway b/w India and Bangladesh on power transmission lines."