Dhaka, Delhi sign 7 instruments, inaugurate 3 projects

Dhaka, Delhi sign 7 instruments, inaugurate 3 projects

UNB . New Delhi | The Daily Star  Oct 05, 2019

Bangladesh`s prime minister Sheikh Hasina and India`s prime minister Narendra Modi (R) press a button to remotely unveil plaques for three bilateral projects after a meeting in New Delhi on 5 October 2019. Photo: AFPBangladesh and India on Saturday signed seven bilateral documents, aiming to take the relations between the two countries to the next trajectory.

The documents were signed, exchanged, adopted and handed over after a bilateral meeting between prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India.

The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of the documents – six new and another renewal.

The bilateral documents are MoU for providing a Costal Surveillance System, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for the movement of goods to and from India, MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from the Feni river by India for drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town in Tripura, agreement over implementation of the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh, MoU between the University of Hyderabad and the University of Dhaka, renewal of a cultural exchange programme and MoU on cooperation in youth affairs.

Bangladesh`s prime minister Sheikh Hasina speaks during a press conference with India`s prime minister Narendra Modi after a meeting in New Delhi on 5 October 2019. Photo: AFPThe two prime ministers also jointly inaugurated three bilateral development partnership projects pressing e-plaques — import of bulk LPG from Bangladesh, Vivekananda Bhaban (student hotel) at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka and Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute at IDEB in Dhaka.

Earlier, a tete-a-tete was held between the two leaders just before the meeting.

The two leaders met for the second time in 10 days exemplifying the strength of Bangladesh-India ties, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs adding that the relationship is setting the “template” for bilateral cooperation.

The bilateral meeting was followed by lunch at the Hyderabad House.

Earlier in the morning, Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar had a “warm conversation” with prime minister Sheikh Hasina and reaffirmed India’s “highest priority” to her relations with Bangladesh.

India`s prime minister Narendra Modi speaks during a press conference with Bangladesh`s prime minister Sheikh Hasina after a meeting in New Delhi on 5 October 2019. Photo: AFPForeign minister AK Abdul Momen, state minister for foreign affairs M Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das were present.

Prime minister Hasina will also meet Indian president Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 4:30pm.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina reached New Delhi on Thursday morning and joined the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit.

Welcoming prime minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, India on Thursday described its relations with Bangladesh as a “relationship of utmost priority”.

India`s prime minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Bangladesh`s prime minister Sheikh Hasina prior to a meeting in New Delhi on 5 October 2019. Photo: AFP

“A relationship of utmost priority,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted sharing the photos of prime minister Hasina’s arrival in New Delhi as part of her official visit.

The MEA also said Bangladesh and India share “multifaceted relations” which go far beyond the strategic partnership.

Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to return home on Sunday.