Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday thanked the Indian government, people and all political parties for their support that led to the ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
She said: “I am sincerely thanking the government, people and all political parties of India for extending their support to the ratification of the land swap agreement.”
The ratification of the agreement was a great diplomatic success of the governments of both the country, Hasina said during India-Bangladesh joint statement.
She also commemorated the role and contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and Pranab Mukherjee.
Mentioning that PM Modi’s visit has instilled new dynamism and confidence in Indo-Bangla relationship, Hasina further said: “We assured PM Modi as well as the people of India of Bangladesh assistance in implementing the newly inked agreements.”
“We [Hasina and Modi] agreed that the connectivity between the two nation is not only important for the countries concerned, it is also important for the development of the entire region.”
She further said: “We are committed to form an equal social structure for the people of the both countries.”
She hoped that the new treaties, which have been enshrined in new fields, would create the expansion of trade, investment and business between both countries.
Noting that both the countries agreed to set special economic zone in Bheramara and Mongla, she said: “The initiative will boost Indian investment in our country.”
Commemorating her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said: “I believe that we will bring peace for the people of this region by ensuring progress and prosperity which was the dream of Bangabandhu.”
LBA documents exchanged
The documents on ratification of Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) were exchanged between Bangladesh and India yesterday.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and Indian External Affairs Ministry Secretary Dr S Jaishankar exchanged the document on behalf of their respective countries.
Sheikh Hasina, Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee witnessed the exchange of ratification instruments.
“History is made as the Instruments of Ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement are exchanged,” the visiting Indian prime minister tweeted on Saturday afternoon immediately after the LBA ratification documents were exchanged.
Earlier in the day, Hasina, Modi and Mamata inaugurated the bus services on the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala and Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati routes.
Later, Modi held a meeting with Mamata Banerjee at his place of residence.
He also sat at a tete-a-tete prior to official talks with Hasina around 4pm.
The Indian prime minister will be leaving Dhaka today.