Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and India is a role model for the rest of the world.
"As a result of multifaceted and multi-dimensional cooperation, our bilateral relationship has become a role model for the rest of the world. I strongly believe this momentum will continue," she said during a videoconference with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The two prime ministers jointly inaugurated four projects in Bangladesh through the video conference. The projects include the supply of 1,100 buses and trucks to the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC).
Sheikh Hasina said the two countries have witnessed remarkable progress in cooperation over the last decade, in both conventional and unconventional areas such as security, power, trade and commerce, energy, connectivity, infrastructure development, environment, renewable energy, education, culture, people-to-people contact, and health.
At the same time, the two countries have expanded cooperation in newer areas, such as the blue economy and maritime cooperation, peaceful use of nuclear energy, cooperation in outer space, internet bandwidth sharing, and cyber security, she said.
Sheikh Hasina also reiterated her strong condemnation of the Pulwama attack in Kashmir last month.
"We remain steadfast in our resolve to root out the scourge of terrorism from our region and beyond, through bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation," she said.
She expressed her utmost sympathy for the family members of those killed in the Pulwama attack.
"Bangladesh has taken a zero tolerance policy against terrorism in all its forms, and will never allow its land to be used by any terrorist organization," the Bangladesh prime minister added.
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Sheikh Hasina gratefully recalled the crucial contribution of the Indian government during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, describing it as an eternal milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
Regarding the projects, Sheikh Hasina said it is a matter of great satisfaction that some of the projects under the 2nd Line of Credit provided by India to Bangladesh are coming close to completion.
The four projects are: The supply of double-decker, single-decker, AC and Non-AC Buses and Trucks to the BTRC (under the 2nd Line of Credit); 36 Community Clinics in Jamalpur, Sherpur, Habiganj, Sunamganj and Brahmanbaria districts of Bangladesh, financed by a grant from the Indian government; 11 water treatment plants in Bhandaria Pouroshova of Pirojpur District, also financed by a grant from the Indian government; and the National Knowledge Network (NKN) Extension to Bangladesh.
A total 600 buses (300 double-deckers, 200 AC single-deckers, and 100 Non-AC Single-deckers) and 500 trucks (350 with a capacity of 16 tons, and 150 with a capacity of 10-tons) will be added to the fleet of the BRTC.
"I hope [the buses] will provide relief for daily commuters in Bangladesh, and help reduce traffic congestion on our highways," Sheikh Hasina said.
Welcoming the grants from the Indian government for the establishment of community clinics and water treatment plants, the prime minister said the clinics are an integral part of the flagship program of her government for ensuring basic healthcare, family planning, and nutrition services at the grassroots level.
She also hoped that the extension of the NKN to Bangladesh would increase the capability of Bangladeshi researchers, by enhancing their access to universities, research institutions, libraries, laboratories, healthcare and agricultural institutions across India.
Sheikh Hasina further said she is looking forward to jointly celebrating more success stories of collective endeavours between India and Bangladesh in the future.
This was the first videoconference between Shiekh Hasina and Narendra Modi since the former assumed the office of Bangladesh prime minister for the third consecutive term.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also spoke on the occasion.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque were present at the event, held at Ganabhaban.