DHAKA: “Bangabandhu founded Bangladesh and his daughter, Sheikh Hasina, saved Bangladesh”, stated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while A H Mahmood Ali, Bangladesh Foreign Minister, called on him in New Delhi on Friday afternoon.
“The past, present and future of India and Bangladesh are interlinked”, Modi said in highlighting the significance of cooperation with neighbours.
Foreign Minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation for the third meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) between Bangladesh and India to be held on 20 September 2014.
During the meeting, Indian Prime Minister reiterated that India would do everything for the growth, peace and prosperity of Bangladesh. He emphasized on regional cooperation for collective development of this region.
He expressed happiness over the significant progress made in power sector cooperation between the two countries. Noting the business opportunities in Bangladesh, he suggested that the Indian business communities should explore the possibilities of greater investment in Bangladesh. In this connection, he pointed out the potential of enhanced people-to-people contact including through tourism between the two friendly neighbours.
Prime Minister of India stressed on the opportunities that exist for trade and commerce through sea and river routes. On the importance of regional cooperation, Modi also said that there were complementarities between his Government’s ‘Look East’ policy and the goals of BIMSTEC.
The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh also paid a courtesy call on the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhawan today. The Indian President appreciated the remarkable socio-economic progress that Bangladesh has made over the past five years. He fondly recalled his visit to Bangladesh in March 2013 and said that he was looking forward to receive the President of Bangladesh in India.
This morning Foreign Minister met Uma Bharti, Indian Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, at her office. During the meeting, both the Ministers discussed water and water related issues of mutual interest. The two Ministers agreed to hold the meeting of the 38th Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) in Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. They discussed the issue of interim agreement for sharing waters of Teesta.
They also agreed to hold the 3rd meeting of the Sub-group of the JRC on Tipaimukh hydro-electric project at a mutually convenient time. The Indian Water Resources Minister reiterated that India would not implement any project that may have adverse impact on Bangladesh.
Foreign Minister also met Arun Jaitley, Indian Union Minister for Finance, Defense and Corporate Affairs. The two Ministers discussed various issues related to development cooperation.
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh also had a meeting with the National Security Adviser of India, Ajit Doval.
Mahmood Ali met the Indian Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal last evening. The two Ministers noted with satisfaction that significant progress had been made in power sector cooperation between the two countries in last five years. The Indian Power Minister assured that India would extend all out support to Bangladesh to further enhance and accelerate the pace of cooperation in this sector.
The Foreign Minister also attended the Lalit Arpan Festival last evening along with the former Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India; Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Senior Sectary, M/o Commerce; Secretary, Economic Relations Division; Secretary, M/o. Water Resources; Secretary, M/o Shipping; Secretary, Power Division; and Foreign Secretary were present in the meetings.
** Modi may visit Dhaka in January
BDST: 2118 HRS, SEP 19, 2014
