Bangladesh and India will sign three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi to attend this year's G20 summit.
Briefing reporters, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said on Thursday that the bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be held on Friday.
During the bilateral meeting, the foreign minister said, the two leaders could inaugurate the Akhaura-Agartala 10.01-km rail link.
After the meeting, three instruments on agriculture research, culture and rupee-taka payment system for trading will be signed.
The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) will sign the MoU on agri research and training.
Meanwhile, the two countries' cultural exchange program will be extended to 2025.
Bangladesh Bank will sign the MoU with the National Payments Corporation of India for the rupee-taka trade system.
"Bangladesh wants to be the voice of the Global South. We have made significant achievements in terms of socio-economic development and women empowerment. We have been a leader in the Climate Vulnerable Forum. We want to showcase these achievements," he said.
Asked if Bangladesh will raise Bangladesh's election issue during the meeting between Hasina and Modi, Momen said that he doesn’t know yet.
He then said Bangladesh is committed to free and fair elections.
"We will welcome if anybody wants to extend any support or recommendations, but we will not entertain any pressure," he said
The foreign minister, however, did not respond if Bangladesh will raise the Teesta water sharing agreement that remained pending since 2011, despite the final preparation, because of last time opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Benarjee.
The prime minister will leave Dhaka for New Delhi on Friday afternoon on a special Biman flight.
"It is a proud moment for us. We are honoured... We got a floor to speak," the foreign minister said as Bangladesh is the only country in South Asia invited as a guest at the summit.
On the sidelines, the prime minister will hold meetings with the Saudi crown prince as well as presidents of Argentina, South Korea and the UAE on Saturday.
She will also pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi with leaders of the G20.
At the conference, Sheikh Hasina will speak in two sessions on the theme of the summit - one earth, one family, one future.
She will highlight climate change, post-pandemic economic recovery and challenges that emerged due to the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly in the food and energy sectors, among others.
"Regional peace and stability is imperative for us and India also. We do not want to see any proxy war in this region," Momen said.