Underscoring his administration’s commitment to improve ties with Dhaka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described Bangladesh as one of the significant pillars of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
“It has been my priority to strengthen and deepen the relationship with Bangladesh,” he said on Thursday during a virtual summit with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“It is true that the year has been tough due to the [coronavirus] pandemic. However, it is satisfying to know that even in these challenging times, India and Bangladesh have maintained good cooperation, be it on medicines, medical equipment or working with health professionals,” Modi said.
Describing, the year 2020 as “full of challenges” amid the Covid-19 pandemic, he said there have been good cooperation between the countries in the health sector.
There is also good cooperation between the countries on Covid-19 vaccine support, Modi said before adding “We will give special emphasis to your needs regarding this”.
At the virtual summit, the two leaders relaunched a trans-border rail route between Chilahati and West Bengal's Haldibari which has been defunct for almost 55 years.
The railway line has been inoperative after it was snapped during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
Sheikh Hasina and Modi The also jointly inaugurated a Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi, commemorating the lives of the two iconic leaders
At the summit, a day after Bangladesh celebrated Victory Day, Modi paid tributes to the martyrs from both India and Bangladesh who died in the 1971 Liberation War.
“It is an honour for us to celebrate Bangladesh’s victory against the anti-liberation forces with you,” he said. “When Bangladesh is celebrating 50 years of Independence, I would want to pay tribute to the martyrs of both nations, who sacrificed their lives.”
India and Bangladesh have also signed seven agreements in areas including agriculture, hydrocarbons, community development and textiles.
