Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he wants to take Dhaka-New Delhi relationship to a new height with improved connectivity and growing economic cooperation based on mutual trust and confidence.
He termed his first visit to Dhaka historic and said: “We stand at a moment of huge opportunity in our relationship.”
He was speaking at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) yesterday after signing 22 instruments and unveiling plaques of seven projects.
“We will work together to harness the rich potential of our relationship. And, we will address our challenges in a spirit of friendship and from a position of mutual trust and confidence,” he said adding that “connectivity is the catalyst for deeper engagement.”
Modi came to Dhaka on a two-day visit yesterday morning at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The two prime ministers and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched two bus services – Dhaka-Shillong and Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala – at the PMO in the afternoon.
About water sharing of common rivers, Modi said: “Our rivers should nurture our relationship, not become a source of discord. Water sharing is, above all, a human issue. It affects life and livelihood on both sides of the border.”
Citing an example, he said India had shown political resolve and mutual goodwill with the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
“I am confident that with the support of state governments in India, we can reach a fair solution on Teesta and Feni Rivers. We should also work together to renew and clean our rivers.”
About Land Boundary Agreement, Modi said: “We have resolved a question that has lingered since Independence. Our two nations have a settled boundary.”
Bangladesh and India exchanged two instruments related to LBA yesterday.
The LBA was signed by the two countries in 1974 which Bangladesh ratified in the same year but India ratified it last month.
Modi termed Bangladesh-India relationship a matured one as both accepted the settlement of the maritime boundary issue last year.
“It is evidence of the maturity of our ties and our shared commitment to international rules.”
About connectivity, he said connectivity by road, rail, rivers, sea, transmission lines, petroleum pipelines and digital links would increase.
“Today, we have unveiled some of the pathways to this future,” he said.
Bangladesh’s decision to allow transit of power equipment and food-grains to the Northeast states of India echoed the strength of human values and shared economic opportunities, he said.
About regional connectivity, he said: “We will deepen regional connectivity and cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. There is a natural logic to this arrangement.”
About the renewal of existing trade and transport agreements, he said: “We have added new dimensions to our economic ties.”
The coastal shipping agreement would boost bilateral trade and the Indian economic zone will promote Indian investments in Bangladesh, he said.
Bangladesh agreed to set up two exclusive economic zones in Bheramara and Mongla for Indian investors.
“I am conscious of the huge trade imbalance, despite duty-free and quota-free access to Bangladesh in India on all but 25 items. Yet, I have assured Prime Minister [Sheikh Hasina] that we will do everything we can to bridge the deficit.”
About power import from India, he said: “Power supply from India to Bangladesh will grow from 500MW to 1,100MW within two years.”
The 1,320MW Rampal power project is making progress in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws and regulations, he said.
“We can do more together in power sector, here and in India.”
He also announced $2bn Indian line of credit to support infrastructure and other development activities in Bangladesh.
In 2010, India offered a $1bn line of credit but later $200m was converted into a grant.
The Indian prime minister said: “The future I dream for India is the future I wish for Bangladesh.”
Modi said he wanted Hasina to succeed in her Mission 2021 and 2041 as the success of Bangladesh was important for the region and the world.
“So is the success of our partnership. We are two nations defined by our youth. We owe it to them to set new directions and scale new heights in our relations. I am confident that we have done that today.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her speech praised her Indian counterpart for resolving the LBA issue.
She also said that connectivity is important for the development of the region.
She hoped after singing different instruments that trade and investment between the two countries would be boosted.
“We have discussed the management of 54 common rivers,” she said.
