Speaker of the Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has suggested more collaborations between Bangladesh and India, and said the destinies of the two neighbours are "intertwined".
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen emphasized focusing on five key areas to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the countries.
They were speaking at the 11th round of the Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue styled “fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership” in Sylhet on Thursday.
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury inaugurated the two-day dialogue chaired by the foreign minister.
Presidium Member of Bangladesh Awami League Jahangir Kabir Nanak, former minister of India Vincent Pala, former MP Swapan Dasgupta, and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma were also present, the foreign ministry said.
The speaker said the stability and prosperity of both countries are "inextricably linked with each other”.
She emphasized ensuring more engagement of the parliaments of the two countries, collaboration and engagement of women lawmakers, and cooperation in the ICT sector to face the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
She also thanked India for including Bangladesh in the G20 process and appreciated for arranging the P20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit.
Focus on five areas
Foreign Minister Dr Momen highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between Dhaka and Delhi.
He shed light on the recent economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which has largely fulfilled the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to transform Bangladesh into “Sonar Bangla”.
He said a fast-developing Bangladesh offers both countries opportunities to further deepen its economic benefits.
The minister further emphasized on five key areas to enhance bilateral trade, improved connectivity, sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector, cooperation in the water sector, and people-to-people contact to further strengthen the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India.
He said that partnering with these two neighbors is important for bringing shared peace and prosperity in the South Asian region.
The dialogue will have thematic sessions on issues of Connectivity for Trade and People-to-People Connections, Technology Collaboration and Innovation, and Investment for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.
According to the foreign ministry, over the past decade, the Friendship Dialogue has played a pivotal role in strengthening the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and India.
The foreign minister will also inaugurate the second round of Sylhet - Silchar Festival - which is scheduled to be held from Friday to Sunday.
The festival aims to promote cultural and people-to-people contact linking the two cities: Sylhet and Silchar, the foreign ministry said.
