Bangladesh-India home secretary and commerce secretary level talks and the much-expected Joint River Commission (JRC) will be held before the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka in March this year.
The decision was taken at the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) held on Friday, according to a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the meeting.
Foreign secretaries of both the countries led their respective delegations to the FOC when they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral interest ranging from Covid-19 cooperation to security issues.
Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Dhaka on March 26 on an invitation from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to join the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Independence of Bangladesh and the Birth Centenary of Bangladesh’s Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as well as the 50th year of bilateral ties.
“Both sides also agreed to hold the next Home Secretary level Talks, Commerce secretary level talks and the Secretary level meeting of the joint rivers commission before the March 2021 Summit,” a statement said.
They also discussed the preparation for the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March this year, including events related to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Covid-19 cooperation, trade and investment, connectivity, border management, water sharing, security and defence cooperation were featured in the meeting as the two countries reviewed the progress achieved in bilateral ties.
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen co-chaired the meeting, held in a “fruitful” manner, the statement added.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary was accompanied by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mohammad Imran, Secretary Ambassador (East) Mashfee Shams and representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, commerce and water resources.
The Indian delegation consisted of representatives from the ministries of external affairs, home affairs, commerce and industry, Jal Shakti and finance.
The meeting also decided to further strengthen the ongoing coordination to jointly celebrate the upcoming events.
On participation of Bangladesh’s tri-service contingent in the Republic Day parade in India this year, both sides expressed their appreciation for participation.
Both the sides noted with satisfaction the renewal of the Air Travel Bubble arrangement and swift implementation of the Lines of Credit in the bilateral development partnership.
Ambassador Masud Bin Momen during his stay in New Delhi will visit the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition currently on display at Vigyan Bhawan and will be interacting with Indian Foreign Service Officer Trainees at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.
