India and Bangladesh express satisfaction over current state of bilateral relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina today held a Summit in virtual format. Both the sides held comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues. A joint statement issued after the Summit said, India and Bangladesh expressed satisfaction over the current state of bilateral relations based on shared bonds of history, culture, language, and other unique commonalities that characterize the partnership. 

It said, both the Prime Ministers exchanged views on the situation of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in their countries. They expressed satisfaction at the manner in which sustained engagement between the two countries has been maintained during this ongoing crisis.

Reiterating the highest priority India attaches to Bangladesh under India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that vaccines would be made available to Bangladesh as and when produced in India. Both leaders also noted the ongoing bilateral collaboration between the private sector in this area.  India also offered collaboration in therapeutics and partnership in vaccine production. 

Bangladesh appreciated India’s conducting capacity building courses for medical professionals in Bangla language. Noting that the year 2021 will be historic in India-Bangladesh bilateral relations as they would be commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the Liberation War and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, it was agreed to jointly organize several activities to commemorate these two epochal events in India, Bangladesh and third countries.

 

Both sides also agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Boundary Conference to prepare a new set of strip maps along the stretch of Icchamati, Kalindi, Raimongol and the



Hariabhanga Rivers from Main Pillar 1 to Land Boundary terminus. It was agreed to carry out necessary work to convert the International Boundary along Kushiyara river into a fixed boundary.

 

The two Prime Ministers agreed to facilitate completion of border fencing at all pending sectors at the international border between both the countries at the earliest beginning from the Tripura - Bangladesh sector. Both leaders also agreed that loss of civilian lives at the border is a matter of concern and directed the border forces concerned to enhance coordinate measures to work towards bringing such border incidents to zero.

 

Recognizing that terrorism remains a threat to global peace and security, both sides reiterated their strong commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

 

The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the continued progress made towards the restoration of pre-1965 railway linkages between both nations. They jointly inaugurated the newly restored railway link between Haldibari in India and Chilahati, Bangladesh and noted that this rail link will further strengthen trade and people to people ties between the two sides. It was decided to operationalize the train as and when the COVID situation improves.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for supporting India in its election to the United Nations Security Council. Both countries agreed to continue working together towards achieving early reforms of the UN Security Council, combating climate change, attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and protection of the rights of migrants. 

Both sides reaffirmed the need for developed countries to fulfill their commitments under the Global Partnership for ensuring the means of implementation of the SDGs as enshrined in the Agenda 2030.