Bangladesh and India today (September 6, 2022) signed seven MoUs – demonstrating cooperation in a number of areas, including water sharing of the Kushiyara River. One of the MoUs was signed between the Ministry of Water Resources, Bangladesh and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, India on withdrawal of water from the common river Kushiyara. The MoU between the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), India and the Ministry of Railways, Bangladesh was signed on training of Bangladesh Railway personnel in India. Another MoU between the two railway ministries was signed on collaboration in IT systems such as FOIS and other applications for Bangladesh Railway.              The National Judicial Academy, India and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh signed an MoU on training and capacity building programe for Bangladeshi judicial officers in India. Also read: India always helps Bangladesh in times of need, says PM Hasina An MoU on scientific and technological cooperation was signed between Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India. The two sides signed the MoU on cooperation in the area of space technology. India’s Prasar Bharti and Bangladesh Television (BTV) signed an MoU on cooperation in broadcasting.           Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi witnessed signing of the bilateral instruments after holding bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in India's capital city as the two countries seek enhanced cooperation. Issues related to security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling and human trafficking will get priority during the talks between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Modi, officials said. INAUGURATED, ANNOUNCED PROJECTS The two leaders unveiled unit-I of the Maitree power plant. The 1320 (660x2) MW super critical coal-fired thermal power plant in Rampal is being set up at an estimated cost of approximately USD 2 billion with USD 1.6 billion as Indian Development Assistance under Concessional Financing Scheme. They jointly inaugurated the Rupsha Bridge. The 5.13 km Rupsha rail bridge is a key part of the 64.7 km Khulna-Mongla Port single track broad gauge rail project, connecting for the first time Mongla Port with Khulna by rail, and thereafter to central and north Bangladesh and also to the India border at Petrapole and Gede in West Bengal. Supply of road construction equipment and machinery:  the project consists of supply of road maintenance and construction equipment and machinery in 25 packages to Bangladesh Road and Highways Department. Also read: PM Hasina pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat Khulna Darshana railway line link project: The project is an upgrade of existing (doubling of broad gauge) infrastructure linking the current cross border rail link at Gede-Darshana to Khulna thereby augmenting the rail connections between the two countries, especially to Dhaka, but also in future to Mongla Port. The project cost is estimated at USD 312.48 million. Parbatipur -Kaunia railway line: The conversion of the existing metre gauge line to dual gauge line project is estimated at USD 120.41 million. The project will connect to the existing cross border rail at Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (West Bengal) and will enhance bilateral rail connectivity.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen did not accompany Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India. “He (Momen) is feeling unwell. He didn’t go with the PM,” an official told UNB today (September 5, 2022). At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina is paying a state visit to New Delhi from September 5 to 8. Read: PM flies to India on four-day visit Hasina is visiting India after three years. She last visited India in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The latest visit is significant for both Bangladesh and India, said the government of Bangladesh. The visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical, cultural ties, mutual trust and understanding, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. Read “Activating Tongi Power Station that tripped moments later, BNP’s only achievement”