Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the past, the present and the future of India and Bangladesh were interlinked.
He made the remark when Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali called on him in New Delhi yesterday.
Modi said: “Bangabandhu founded Bangladesh and his daughter, Sheikh Hasina, saved Bangladesh.”
The foreign minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation for the third meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) between Bangladesh and India, scheduled to be held today.
The Indian prime minister reiterated that India would do everything for the growth, peace and prosperity of Bangladesh.
He emphasised on regional cooperation for the collective development of this region and expressed his satisfaction over the significant progress made in power sector cooperation between the two countries.
Noting the business opportunities in Bangladesh, he suggested that the Indian business communities should explore the possibilities of greater investment in Bangladesh.
In this connection, the Indian premier pointed out the potential of enhanced people-to-people contact including through tourism between the two friendly neighbours.
Modi stressed on the opportunities that existed for trade and commerce through sea and river routes.
On the importance of regional cooperation, Modi also said his government’s “Look East” policy and the goals of Bimstec complemented each other.
The foreign minister of Bangladesh also paid a courtesy call on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhawan yesterday. The Indian president appreciated the remarkable socio-economic progress that Bangladesh has made over the past five years.
He fondly recalled his visit to Bangladesh in March last year and said he was looking forward to receive the president of Bangladesh in India.
Mahmood in a separate meeting with Indian Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti discussed the issue of interim agreement for sharing waters of Teesta.
The two ministers agreed to hold the meeting of the 38th Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) in Bangladesh, as well as the third meeting of the sub-group of the JRC on Tipaimukh hydro-electric project, at a mutually convenient time.
The Indian water resources minister reiterated that India would not implement any project that may have adverse impact on Bangladesh.
Mahmood Ali met Indian Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and expressed satisfaction that significant progress had been made in power sector cooperation between the two countries in last five years.
The Indian power minister assured that India would extend all out support to Bangladesh to further enhance and accelerate the pace of cooperation in this sector.
The Bangladeshi foreign minister also met Arun Jaitley, Indian union minister for finance, defence and corporate affairs, and Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
The foreign minister also attended the Lalit Arpan Festival last evening along with the former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar.