Bangladesh has obtained an assurance from India to get 100-MW power from Tripura grid to meet its growing demand.
Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in response to a request from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, gave the assurance in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 3rd BIMSTEC Summit in Myanmar, reported BSS.
After the meeting, Bangladesh PM's Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters.
He said the two prime ministers discussed the issues of bilateral interests including cooperation in the areas of power sector, trade, investment and implementation of the agreed decisions between the two countries.
Sheikh Hasina said supply of electricity is very crucial for Bangladesh's economy as the country aims to become a middle income country by 2021.
In this regard, the Bangladesh premier requested her Indian counterpart to further strengthen Indo-Bangla relations in the power sector in the coming days and drew Manmohan's special attention to add 100 MW power from Tripura to Bangladesh’s grid line.
In response, the Indian prime minister assured her of taking necessary steps from his end as soon as possible.
Sheikh Hasina also reiterated her observation that Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Nepal could resolve their electricity demand through their joint endeavour to construct hydropower plants, which will be a great boost for economy of the region.
Manmohan Singh congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her victory in the last general elections and assumption of office of the prime minister for the third time.
He said India believes that the lot of the toiling masses of the region can be changed through uninterrupted practice of democracy.
The Indian Premier highly praised Sheikh Hasina's efforts for poverty alleviation, women empowerment and improving the fate of the rural people.
Manmohan Singh said Bangladesh is not only a close door neighbour of India, but also a time tested friend.
He also assured that India would work together with Bangladesh in the areas of trade, communications and investment as well as in the power sector.
Sheikh Hasina described hunger, poverty and terrorism as common enemies of the region and expressed her firm determination to fight together to root out these menaces from South Asia.
She said Bangladesh is keen to see South Asia as a region free from terrorism and ready to work together in this respect.
The Bangladesh prime minister extended her thanks to her Indian counterpart for placing the much-talked about Land Boundary Protocol in the Indian parliament, hoping that the 40- years' unresolved issue would be endorsed by Indian legislators.
Sheikh Hasina also mentioned that Bangladesh is waiting for very positive and effective steps about the Teesta water-sharing agreement.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shariyar Alam, Ambassador- At-Large M Ziauddin, PMO Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque were present.
Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid, National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Sujata Singh were present from the Indian side.
