India, Bangladesh sign 7 agreements

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held bilateral talks in New Delhi to review and further strengthen the all-encompassing India-Bangladesh partnership. Two leaders jointly unveiled Unit-I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project following bilateral and delegation level talks in Delhi. The project is being constructed under India’s concessional financing scheme. It will add 1320 MW to Bangladesh’s National Grid.

Seven MoUs, including on water resources, railways, science and technology, space technology were exchanged following the talks. This includes an MoU between Prasar Bharati and Bangladesh Television on cooperation in the field of broadcasting.

In his press statement, Prime Minister Modi announced that an important agreement on water sharing from the Kushiyara River has been signed. This will benefit Southern Assam in India and Sylhet region in Bangladesh. He pointed out that there are 54 rivers that pass through the Indo-Bangladesh border, and have been linked to the livelihood of the people of both the countries for centuries.

Mr Modi said that they also stressed on cooperation against terrorism and



fundamentalism. He expressed confidence that India and Bangladesh ties will touch new heights.

Speaking to media on the occasion, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said India is a friend and recalled the contribution India has made during the liberation war of her nation. She hoped that today's discussion will be fruitful and added that the main aim is to develop economically and also fulfill the basic needs of people.

Later, briefing media in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra  said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina held extensive and productive discussions including political and security cooperation, energy partnership, water conservation, and trade and economic ties.

Mr Kwatra said there was a strong agreement between the two leaders on the significance of further strengthening bilateral and subregional cooperation. Both the leaders unveiled and inaugurated important development projects including Unit-I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, and the 5.13 km Rupsha rail bridge, which is a key part of the 64.7 km Khulna-Mongla Port broad gauge rail project