Bangladesh High Commissioner Tariq A Karim on Saturday held talks with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at Gandhinagar on strengthening ties with the Indian state, according to a UNB report.
“High Commissioner of Bangladesh Tariq A Karim met the chief minister in Gandhinagar Saturday and held fruitful discussions to strengthen mutual relationship between Bangladesh and India, particularly with Gujarat,” report Indian media quoting an official statement.
Earlier, speaking at the international workshop on mangrove conservation in India, Karim said, “Climate change-induced displacement of people has now become a major concern.”
“People from the coastal areas of Bangladesh are moving to other areas – particularly to cities – in increasing numbers, putting stress on the infrastructure and causing social stresses,” he said, in a statement issued by Gujarat Ecology Commission.
According to scientific estimates, a metre rise in sea level due to global warming will inundate 18% of Bangladesh’s landmass and will force 20 million people out of their homes, making them climate refugees, Karim said.
Globally, a billion people may be displaced by 2050 as a result of climate change, he said.
