India announces e-medical visa for Bangladeshis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a joint press conference with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Saturday, announced that India will begin an e-medical visa facility for Bangladeshis coming to India for medical treatment, as well as a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur. PM Modi also highlighted the important achievements of India and Bangladesh for the welfare of the people.

"Today's meeting (with Hasina) is very special, as PM Sheikh Hasina is the first state guest in our third government. Bangladesh is at the confluence of 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies as well as SAGAR and Indo-Pacific visions. In the last year, we have completed



several crucial initiatives for the welfare of the people," PM Modi said in his opening remarks after he and Hasina signed a number of MoUs on digital partnership, green partnership, blue economy, health and medicine and railway connectivity.

The Indian PM further said that trade in Indian rupees has begun in the two countries, along with other achievements like the world's longest river cruise on the Ganges River, the first cross-border friendship pipeline and the export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid. "Implementing such a big initiative in so many areas in just one year reflects the speed and scale of our relations," he added.