Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (February 07, 2024) emphasised on early conclusion of Teesta water sharing agreement aiming to strengthen water cooperation between Bangladesh and India. He also stressed the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that will expire in 2026. The issue of border killings was discussed during his bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on his maiden bilateral trip to India as the foreign minister. Both sides agreed to enhanced cooperation between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) and using non-lethal weapons to reduce border killing to zero. Foreign Minister Mahmud requested his Indian counterpart to withdraw tariff and non-tariff barriers for Bangladesh's exports, as well as ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to Bangladesh for maintaining price stability, especially during Ramadan. Mahmud is visiting India from 6 to 9 February 2024 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister of India. Our discussions today will strengthen Bangladesh-India Maitri, says Jaishankar welcoming FM in New DelhiThe two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relation that exists between Bangladesh and India. They discussed key areas of mutual interests, expressing a commitment to strengthening collaboration across various areas. They stressed the need for deeper and high quality cooperation in various sectors especially trade and commerce, connectivity, power, defence and security cooperation and water. Both the foreign ministers agreed to collaborate further each other at sub-regional, regional and multilateral platform.Mahmud thanked India for their cooperation and continued support in various sectors which resulted in a remarkable year of 2023 in the bilateral relations between the two countries. He noted that a number of projects in promoting power sector cooperation and establishing connectivity were inaugurated by the two prime ministers. Political stability, peace must for development and progress: Hasan Mahmud says in DelhiThe Indian External Affairs minister congratulated the Bangladesh Foreign Minister for conducting a very good and successful elections held last month. Dr Jaishankar emphasised on regional connectivity and power sector cooperation. He appreciated the government of Bangladesh under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for socio-economic advancement during last 15 years. The minister noted that Bangladesh and India should work together to fulfill the aspiration of the peoples of both countries. He stressed devising ways and means of fast tracking LoC projects.Both the foreign ministers discussed in details the evolving situation in Myanmar and its impact on the regional stability and repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Bangladesh’s foreign minister reiterated for India's support in the early repatriation of Rohingya refugees.Both the foreign ministers expressed commitment to further enhance their collaboration to promote sub-regional cooperation within the framework of BIMSTEC, IORA and BBIN. The foreign minister invited the External Affairs Minister of India to Dhaka for the next Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) Meeting at his earliest convenience.Earlier, Mahmud paid tribute to the memories of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat. He met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and visited Bangabandhu Media Centre at the Press Club of India. FM Hasan, Jaishankar discuss scope of future engagement in line with "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047"

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday paid tributes to Dr Syed Abdus Samad, Bangabandhu's private secretary, as he died on Wednesday. On behalf of the Prime Minister, her Military Secretary Major General Naquib Ahmed Chowdhury paid homage by placing a wreath on his coffin at Baridhara Jam-e-Masjid and Islamic Centre in the capital at 10am, said the PMO Press Wing. Read:PM shocked at death of former principal secretary Abdus Samad Dr SA Samad, also former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and a valiant freedom fighter, died at his Baridhara residence on Wednesday at the age of 79. In a condolence message on Wednesday, Hasina recalled his contributions to the process of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India and CHT Peace Accord. Samad, a life-long bachelor, was the PM’s Principal Secretary during Sheikh Hasina’s first government. Read: Don’t be hesitant about taking Covid test: PM to rural people In 1971, the CSP officer joined the then Mujibnagar government leaving the Pakistani side when he was the ADC in Rangamati. Samad will be laid to rest at his family graveyard in Gafargaon upazila of Mymensingh following a second nanaz-e-zanaja after Zohr prayers.

Bangladesh has emphasised signing of interim water sharing agreement of the Teesta River as agreed by Bangladesh and India in 2011.