Dhaka, Moscow also sign nuke plant, 7 other agreements; agree to fight terrorism together
Dhaka and Moscow yesterday signed a $1 billion deal under which Bangladesh would procure military equipment from Russia.
Both the countries also signed two other agreements and six memorandums of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in different fields, including setting up of a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the signing ceremony held at Putin’s Kremlin office in Moscow.
The arms purchase agreement included orders for armoured vehicles and infantry weapons, air defence systems and Mi-17 transport helicopters, a source close to Russia’s state arms export agency told the Vedomosti business daily.
The source said the purchase did not include any tank orders because Bangladesh had earlier obtained those from China, reports AFP.
The six MoUs, signed between the two countries, are for cooperation on agriculture, public health, medical science, agriculture, education, counterterrorism, culture, law, justice and parliamentary affairs.
At a joint press briefing later, Hasina said the two countries have agreed to collaborate in the complex area of terrorism side by side with further deepening bilateral relations for mutual benefits and gains.
“Cooperation in defence was another area for collaboration between Dhaka and Moscow,” she told the journalists at her hotel lobby.
Hasina said “The 2,000-MW nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, with Russian technical and financial support, is a shinning example of our deeper engagement.”
A separate part of the agreements saw Russia assign $500 million to finance the construction of Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant to be built at Rooppur.
Referring to the signed agreements and MoUs, she said “I believe, they would place our relationship on a firm footing and help in taking practical initiatives in the future.”
The preparatory works on the nuclear power plant would now allow us to make the critical preparations for the establishments of the plant, Hasina said.
The friendship between Bangladesh and Russia would reach to a new height. “A new door of prospect has opened by this visit,” she said.
She mentioned that both the countries signed a defence cooperation deal worth $1 billion under which Bangladesh would procure military equipment from Russia.
Hasina recalled the help and assistance provided by the then Soviet Union during and after the Liberation War.
The premier also said she invited the Russian president to visit Bangladesh and he accepted it.
Russian President Putin said that they had constructive talks and hoped that the bilateral relations of the two countries would reach a new height.
“We also put emphasis on the development of the ties on the long-term basis,” he said.
Regarding the economic relations between the two countries, Putin said that it had grown 23 percent and now it stood at more than $ 700 million. “We are placing emphasis to reach one billion dollars.”
The Russian president mentioned that his country is interested to increase cooperation in other energy sectors. In this connection, he mentioned the gas sector, reports BSS.
Bangladesh has recently been expanding its defence capabilities, building a new air base close to neighbouring Myanmar and adding frigates to its navy.
Source: The Daily Star
