Foreign-Affairs
Japanese Embassy celebrates Abul Kalam's receipt of Order of the Rising Sun
The Japanese Embassy in Dhaka Wednesday celebrated former principal secretary at Prime Minister's Office and former chief coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Abul Kalam Azad's receipt of the "The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star" award of Japan.
Azad received the honour for his longstanding contribution to Bangladesh-Japan economic ties.
"Azad's achievements and contributions to Japan-Bangladesh relations are remarkable. I am particularly pleased that we are able to celebrate Azad's conferment in the year of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bangladesh," Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki said.
On May 10, 2022, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star to Azad in Tokyo.
Azad specifically contributed to the Japanese development projects in Bangladesh under the Initiative of BIG-B (The Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt) as a promoter within the government from the conceptual stage and laid the foundations for the strong development partnership between Bangladesh and Japan.
Read: Japanese Embassy celebrates 50 years in Dhaka
Azad also co-chaired the Japan-Bangladesh Public-Private Economic Dialogue (PPED) with the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan from 2014 to 2019.
His leadership through PPED enhanced public and private investment from Japan to Bangladesh, and Japan acknowledged Bangladesh as an attractive place for investment today.
Nobel laureate Kailash lauds PM Hasina's efforts for the vulnerable
Indian social reformer Kailash Satyarthi, who was the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize along with Malala Yousafzai in 2014, has lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's efforts for the most vulnerable in Bangladesh.
"Her compassion and resolve to ensure the welfare of the most vulnerable is commendable," Kailash said.
Read: PM’s India Visit: Bilateral instruments on water management, defence, railway likely to be signed
The Nobel laureate said meeting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is always a pleasure.
"I thank her for supporting my vision of a Global Social Protection mechanism for marginalised children," Satyarthi tweeted after meeting Hasina in New Delhi.
The prime minister is now in India on a four-day state visit and is scheduled to return home Thursday.
PM Hasina is like a guardian to me: Pranab Mukherjee's daughter Sharmistha
Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of late Indian president Pranab Mukherjee, has described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as her guardian.
"She (PM Sheikh Hasina) would always say that my father (Pranab Mukherjee) was like a guardian to her family. Now in his absence, she (PM Hasina) is being the same for me," she tweeted after she met with Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi.
Read: Bangabandhu as revered in India as he is in Bangladesh: Jaishankar
Sharmistha also mentioned the long association between the two families.
May God grant her (PM Hasina) a long and healthy life, she said.
Sheikh Hasina is now in India on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The prime minister is scheduled to return home Thursday.
Bangabandhu as revered in India as he is in Bangladesh: Jaishankar
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said Indians consider Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman an icon — a man of action, courage and conviction.
“He (Bangabandhu) is as revered and remembered in India, as he is in Bangladesh,” he said.
Jaishankar mentioned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said Bangabandhu is their “hero” too.
As a mark of respect to him, both countries have commissioned a biopic on him, which is nearing completion, said the Indian minister.
Jaishankar was speaking at the award giving ceremony of the "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship" in New Delhi today (September 7, 2022).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the first Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Scholarship on descendants of Indian armed forces personnel who were martyred or critically wounded during the Liberation war of 1971.
Read: Getting Kushiyara water is a big success of PM’s India visit: Quader
"Prime Minister, under your and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, India-Bangladesh relations have taken great strides forward in ways that have not only shaped the contemporary but also the future trajectory of the partnership in mind," said the Indian foreign minister.
Jaishankar said for many years, freedom fighters have acted as a bridge between the two countries.
"That bond is now reaffirmed as the families of our war veterans and of those who made supreme sacrifices in the Liberation War, gather here today," he said, adding that the decision of the government of Bangladesh to award Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship is a testament of how the Liberation War of 1971 continues to inspire the bilateral relationship.
He congratulated the youths who received the scholarship and wished them success.
"You inherit a brave and historic legacy. Please honour and cherish it. As you will move ahead in life, you will be the custodian of the memory of that epochal war that gave birth to a new nation. So, do well and be true to everything that you do. That would be one of the finest tributes to a heroic leader, in whose name you receive this scholarship today," he said.
Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for this generous gesture of her government. "It is truly a symbol of our unique history."
Bangladesh, India sign first contract under US$500 million defence LoC
Bangladesh and India have signed the first contract under the US$500 million line of credit (LoC), which India considers an "important first step" in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
“I think the first contract under the defence Line of Credit was signed earlier this week. I'm sure you have been following this closely. It was a modest amount but it was an important first step," said Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Tuesday night.
The Indian foreign secretary said it may be a defence LoC but it is also a part of the development partnership framework.
Read:India offers free transit to Bangladesh for exports to third countries
"Our effort is that this will open up a path for further engagement between the two countries in the field of defence and security and take our cooperation further,” he added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi expressed satisfaction at the "intensification" of bilateral defence ties.
They also agreed for early finalization of projects under the LoC for defence, which would be beneficial for both countries, according to the joint statement issued after the bilateral talks between the two leaders.
India welcomed the finalization of "initial procurement plans" for vehicles for the Bangladesh Armed Forces in this regard and looked forward to enhancing bilateral defence ties.
The Indian side reiterated its request for implementing the 2019 MoU for providing a coastal radar system for greater maritime security at an early date.
At the 4th Bangladesh-India annual defence dialogue held in New Delhi in August, both sides emphasised the need to work closely to implement the $500 million line of credit extended from India for defence items.
Bangladesh and India, at the dialogue, expressed commitment to elevating engagements between their armed forces and reviewed the progress of bilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
Read:Dhaka, Delhi reiterate strong commitment to eliminate terrorism
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division of Bangladesh, Lieutenant General Waker-Uz-Zaman, and Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar co-chaired the dialogue.
Different aspects of defence industrial and capability-building cooperation came up for detailed discussions.
Both countries explored potential for cooperation in defence trade, co-development and joint production.
Meanwhile, Indian news outlet The Hindu reported that Bangladesh has recently shared a wish list of military platforms and systems that its armed forces would like to procure from India, according to official sources, marking some progress on the delayed implementation of the $500 million defence LoC extended by India to Bangladesh.
This includes a diverse range of equipment, including a floating dock, logistics ship and oil tanker for the Bangladesh Navy, among others.
Quoting unnamed source, The Hindu reported that the Bangladesh Army has approved procurement of three items, so far, under the LoC — five Bridge Layer Tanks (BLT-72) at a cost of approximately $10 million; seven portable steel bridges at a cost of around $2.2 million; and 11 Mine Protective Vehicles from the Tata Group at an approximate cost of $2.2 million.
Other items proposed to be procured by the Bangladesh Army are Mahindra XUV 500 off-road vehicles; hard top vehicles from Mahindra at an approximate cost of $2.35 million; heavy recovery vehicles; armoured engineer reconnaissance vehicles; and bulletproof helmets.
The Bangladesh Navy has proposed the procurement of a logistics ship, floating dock, oil tanker, and an ocean-going tug, the source stated.
India offers free transit to Bangladesh for exports to third countries
India has offered free transit via its territory to Bangladesh for exporting its products to third countries through specified land customs stations, airports and seaports.
In this regard, the Indian side invited Bangladesh business community for using its port infrastructure for transshipment to third countries.
The Indian side informed it during delegation level bilateral talks visiting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday.
India has also been providing free transit to Bangladesh for exporting its products to Nepal and Bhutan, according to the joint statement issued on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh side requested rail connectivity with Bhutan through the newly inaugurated Chilahati – Haldibari route.
The Indian side agreed to consider the request, based on its viability and feasibility.
Read:Hasina asks Indian and Bangladeshi youth to interact more to foster friendship
To make this and other cross border rail links viable, the Indian side requested the Bangladesh side to remove port restrictions, inter alia at the Chilahati – Haldibari crossing.
The two leaders agreed to expedite efforts to improve bilateral and sub-regional connectivity through early operationalisation of the BBIN motor vehicle agreement.
The Indian side requested the Bangladesh side for cooperation for initiating new sub-regional connectivity projects including a highway from Hili in West Bengal to Mahendraganj in Meghalaya through Bangladesh and, in this regard, proposed preparation of a detailed project report.
In the same spirit, Bangladesh reiterated its eagerness to partner in the ongoing initiative of the India – Myanmar - Thailand trilateral highway project.
The two leaders underscored the importance of implementing bilateral and sub-regional rail, road, and other connectivity initiatives.
Both sides welcomed the ongoing bilateral initiatives, such as, conversion to dual-gauge of Tongi-Akhaura line, supply of railway rolling stock, capacity building for the personnel of Bangladesh Railway, sharing of IT solutions for improved services of Bangladesh Railway etc.
Both sides also welcomed the new initiatives, namely, Kaunia-Lalmonirhat-Mogalghat-New Gitaldaha link, establishing a link between Hili and Birampur, upgradation of track and signaling systems and railway stations along the Benapole-Jashore line, link restoration between Burimari and Changrabandha, construction of a container depot at Sirajganj.
And both sides agreed to explore funding of these projects through a range of financial instruments under the bilateral development cooperation.
The Bangladesh side welcomed the gesture of India for providing 20 broad-gauge diesel locomotives on grant.
Read:Dhaka, Delhi reiterate strong commitment to eliminate terrorism
The two leaders welcomed the successful completion of trial runs under the agreement on the use of the Chattogram and Mongla Ports (ACMP) and looked forward to its full operationalisation at the earliest.
The Indian side reiterated its request to work towards the expansion of the bilateral Coastal Shipping Agreement of 2015 to include third-country EXIM cargo.
The two sides agreed to expeditiously explore direct shipping links between the two countries.
They also agreed to implement the decision to start riverine services under the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) routes 5 & 6 (Dhulian to Rajshahi -extension to Aricha) and 9 & 10 (Daudkandi to Sonamura).
The Indian side requested Bangladesh to complete remaining infrastructure, immigration, and customs facilities for the operationalisation of the Maitri Bridge over River Feni, connecting Tripura with Bangladesh, at an early date.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making an official visit to India from September 5-8 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
During the visit, she called on President of India Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy called on her.
Hasina asks Indian and Bangladeshi youth to interact more to foster friendship
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (September 7, 2022) asked the youth of Bangladesh and India to interact more closely and work in close collaboration like their leaders did in the past.
“We feel, youths of both the countries need to interact more closely and connect to the shared history because they are the future leaders and leaders across the borders must work in close collaboration, like our leaders did in the past,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing a function marking the distribution of Mujib Scholarship awards among the direct descendants of soldiers or officers of defence forces of India who had been martyred or critically wounded during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Bangladesh Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, also spoke at the function held at the Ball room of ITC Maurya hotel here in New Delhi.
Bangladesh has introduced the scholarship in honour of the country’s founding leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hasina, now on a four-day official visit to India, said she would really love to see that the descendants of the war heroes act as ambassadors of Bangladesh-India friendship and draw parallels with their great forefathers.
“I would like to conclude by praying to the Almighty to bless the new generation so that they may carry the torch of friendship forward for the next 50 years and beyond,” she said.
The prime minister said the event is especially very close to her heart as this is an opportunity for paying sincere homage to all the martyrs - both from Bangladesh and India, who laid down their lives during our Liberation War in 1971 and to the war veterans of both the countries.
“I am truly delighted to reconnect with you – the descendant family members of our war heroes,” she said.
She mentioned that the Bangalee nation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman waged struggle for economic, cultural and democratic emancipation for 24 years.
Read:Dhaka, Delhi reiterate strong commitment to eliminate terrorism
“Responding to the clarion call of our great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, they fought for the liberation of the country in 1971. We witnessed an unparalleled gesture of friendship from the government and people of India, as we were provided with empathy, shelter and resources,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, expressed gratitude to the Indians who sacrificed their invaluable lives and shed blood for the cause of the war of liberation.
“It is always an honour for us to remember those noble persons who sacrificed their lives. My salutations to you, to the brave hearts ---our heroes!” she went on.
She said Bangladesh government commenced a programme to honour the foreign friends who contributed to the Liberation War in 1971.
“We were fortunate to be able to hold the first ceremony of award in 2011 when the highest Civilian Award to foreign friends ‘Bangladesh Freedom Award’ was conferred on the former Indian Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi," said the Bangladesh premier.
Subsequently, more awards were conferred on the deserving Indian leaders, including former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former President Pranab Mukherjee, she said.
“War heroes and members of civil society of India were also honoured in a phased manner. A total of 340 foreign nationals and organizations were honoured. Among them, 226 were from India alone,” she said.
In April 2017, she had the great honour to confer awards upon the war veterans of India through their descendants and immediate family members in the presence of Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi, said Sheikh Hasina.
“I would like to appreciate the kind gesture of government of India for extending their support to our Freedom Fighters for their treatment in India as well as offering scholarship to the family members of the Freedom fighters.”
She said it certainly demonstrates India’s continued support and goodwill for the war heroes of Bangladesh who fought for the emergence of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
The prime minister said that conferment of 200 Mujib Scholarships, 100 each at Class-X and Class-X II level, to the descendants of Indian war veterans is a token of our homage to the heroes who made supreme sacrifice in 1971 for our cause.
“As we aspire to carry forward the legacies of our great forefathers from generation to generation, this is our humble effort to reconnect the younger generations to the historic past of which they are a proud part.”
Read:Hasina, Modi direct officials to start CEPA negotiations this year
She mentioned that the awardees of the scholarship would have an opportunity to revisit the memories of valour of their forefathers, relate it to the present circumstances and would continue to bridge between the two countries.
The relationship between Bangladesh and India goes far beyond strategic partnership and has further strengthened during the last decade, she continued.
“Having forged a strong partnership over the last 50 years, both countries are working on an increasingly wide range of sectoral collaboration.”
In this regard, Hasina said resolution of longstanding issues of demarcation of maritime and land boundaries bear testimony to that effect.
“The relationship is known to be the ‘Role Model for the Neighbourhood Diplomacy’ worldwide.”
She said Bangladesh and India are passing through a path of friendship and 2021 was a landmark year in our relations.
She said in March last year said that she had the opportunity to welcome Modi in Dhaka in the historic celebrations of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bangladesh and India diplomatic relations. The president of India also joined the glorious celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s victory in the War of Liberation in December 2021.
To celebrate these occasions, she said, a number of joint programmes were held. Among them, the release of commemorative stamps on Bangabandhu and Mahatma Gandhi and Bangladesh-India friendship; Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition; participation of Bangladesh Contingent in the Republic Day parade of India were noteworthy.
Sheikh Hasina said that Joint production of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman titled ‘Mujib: the Making of the Nation’ is underway, and is expected to be released soon.
She said Bangladesh and India have jointly celebrated December 6 as ‘Maitree Diwas’, the day being a historic one when India recognised Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state in 1971, in 20 selected cities, including Dhaka and New Delhi.
“Through this joint celebrations, Bangladesh and India have projected the good neighbourhood which is based on mutual trust and respect, to other countries around the world,” she said.
The Prime Minister said that people of Bangladesh should not forget that India, its government, its people and armed forces stood beside Bangladesh during its Liberation war.
"I want that our friendship will last forever,” she said.
Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her precious and generous gesture for introducing the scholarship.
He said that the existing good relations between the two neighbouring countries will deepen further in the coming days.
Dhaka, Delhi reiterate strong commitment to eliminate terrorism
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have reiterated their strong commitment to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
They decided to further strengthen their cooperation to counter and prevent the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation in the region and beyond.
Noting with satisfaction that the number of deaths due to incidents along the border has significantly reduced, both sides agreed to work towards bringing the number down to zero, according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday.
Both sides noted with appreciation the stepped up efforts by the two border guarding forces against smuggling of arms, narcotics and fake currency and to prevent trafficking, particularly of women and children, it said.
Read:Indian investors can set up industries in Bangladesh through buy-back arrangement: PM
Both prime ministers held a restricted meeting and tête-à-tête followed by delegation level talks on Tuesday.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations, based on deep historical and fraternal ties and shared values of democracy and pluralism, which is reflected in an all-encompassing bilateral partnership, based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that transcends even a strategic partnership.
PM Hasina is paying a state visit to India from September 5-8 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Modi.
Read:Dhaka to list Indian Oil as G2G supplier of refined petroleum products
During the visit, she called on President of India Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy called on her.
Hasina’s programme also includes launching of "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship” for 200 descendants of Indian Armed Forces personnel martyred and critically injured during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
She also addressed a business event, jointly organized by Indian and Bangladesh business communities on Wednesday.
Dickson greets 16 Chevening awardees from Bangladesh
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson has said Chevening represents the very best of the UK, welcoming exceptional people from across the world to study, grow, and thrive at some of the world’s best universities.
“I congratulate the 16 Chevening awardees from Bangladesh for the 2022-2023 cycle and wish them the very best,” he said.
The British high commissioner congratulated this year’s cohort of Chevening awardees from Bangladesh at a reception at his residence.
Read: Huge work ahead of COP27; commitments need to turn into action: Robert Dickson
This year, 16 outstanding Bangladeshis have received Chevening Scholarships and will soon be leaving for the UK to start one-year master’s degrees at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, said the high commission on Wednesday.
“Being part of the Chevening network offers participants extra opportunities and instils a particular sense of pride. I am consistently impressed by the passion and commitment of the scholars and alumni I meet,” said Dickson.
Bangladesh has over 350 successful Chevening alumni. Chevening scholars in Bangladesh hold prominent positions in government, the private sector and academia.
Applications for the next cohort (2023/24) of Chevening Scholarships to study in the UK are open until 1 November 2022, with applications to be submitted via www.chevening.org/apply
Hasina, Modi direct officials to start CEPA negotiations this year
Bangladesh and India have agreed to start negotiations within this year – for signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi directed trade officials on both sides to complete the negotiations of CEPA at the earliest and in time for Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status.
The two leaders welcomed the recent finalization of a joint feasibility study which recommended that CEPA will be beneficial for both countries, according to the joint statement issued today (September 7, 2022).
Read: Indian investors can set up industries in Bangladesh through buy-back arrangement: PM
Modi on Tuesday said Bangladesh is India’s largest development partner and their largest trade partner in the region.
“Today, India is the largest market in Asia for Bangladesh’s exports. To further accelerate this growth, we will soon start discussions on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement,” he said.
With the expansion of connectivity between the two countries, and the development of trade infrastructure on the border, the two economies will be able to connect more with each other, support each other, Modi said, adding that their bilateral trade is growing rapidly.
Read: Dhaka to list Indian Oil as G2G supplier of refined petroleum products
During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Bangladesh from March 26 to 27 last year, both sides discussed the prospects of entering into a CEPA.
To enhance trade between the two countries, both Prime Ministers underscored the need for removal of non-tariff barriers.
President of India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI), Abdul Matlub Ahmad, has said the CEPA will be a win-win for both the countries.
Read CEPA to be win-win for both countries: IBCCI President
Reiterating the importance of facilitating trade between the two countries, Hasina and Modi stressed the urgent need for upgradation of infrastructure and facilities at the land customs stations, and for removal of port restrictions and other non-tariff barriers, according to the joint statement.
The Indian side reiterated its request for at least one major land port without port restrictions or negative list of restrictions, on the border with northeast India, for easier market access, starting with ICP Agartala-Akhaura.
Both leaders welcomed the progress made on India’s proposal to fund the development of a second freight gate at Petrapole-Benapole ICP and directed the officials to complete the work at the earliest.
Read Stakeholders urge for inclusion of a proposal in CEPA for setting up joint testing laboratory