Indian Prime Minister
Delhi to bolster defence ties with Dhaka during Modi's visit
India and Bangladesh will strengthen bilateral defence and security ties and are also likely to ink a number of pacts during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day state visit to Dhaka, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
Modi will visit Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Indian PM is also slated to visit Gopalganj’s Tungipara area, Bangabandhu's birthplace.
“Both sides will be signing a range of agreements during Modi's visit. These agreements will be covering a number of areas of our cooperation -- disaster management, oceanography and trade," Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told the media in New Delhi.
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"A number of new announcements -- bolstering cooperation in areas ranging from health, railway connectivity, border development and start-ups -- are also expected to be made," he added.
Talks on bolstering defence and security cooperation between the two countries are also on the agenda of Modi's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the top Indian diplomat.
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"Security and defence is an important part of our cooperation with Bangladesh. We have in recent years signed an agreement on defence cooperation with Bangladesh and undertaken joint military, training and capacity building exercises on a regular basis," Shringla said.
"It is a regular practice for chiefs of our armed forces to visit Bangladesh. We have excellent defence cooperation between our countries. As we go along, we will continue to add more and more depth and momentum to that relationship,” the Indian Foreign Secretary added.
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On bilateral relations, Shringla said, "Ties between the two countries have no parallel. Indian soldiers had fought and were killed alongside Bangladeshis for independence."
India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-kilometre-long international border, the fifth-longest land border in the world. Both countries also share historical, civilisation and cultural ties.
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Briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the biggest attraction is “Mujib Borsho” and 50 years of Bangladesh’s Independence and the visit will mainly focus on the joint celebrations.
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He said they are still in negotiations and a number of MoUs have been finalised on major issues. “I can’t tell the exact number at this moment.”
Responding to a question on Teesta issue, the Foreign Minister said the two countries agreed on signing the Teesta Water sharing deal in 2011 but it could not be signed, delivered and implemented. “You know the reason.”
He said they always remain hopeful that the Teesta deal will be signed one day.
During the virtual Summit in December last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the need for early signing of interim agreement for sharing the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts of the government of India to that end.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen said they are working to make the relations stronger saying any issue can be resolved if the relations remain good.
He said Bangladesh and India share 54 common rivers and they are now discussing on six major rivers apart from Teesta.
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Bangladesh and India stressed the need for early conclusion of Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six joint rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.
Modi's Engagements
Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive on Friday morning by a special flight on a two-day official visit. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive her Indian counterpart upon his arrival in Dhaka.
The Indian Prime Minister will receive 19 gun salutes and will be given the guard of honour.
He will visit National Martyrs Memorial at Savar and Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city to pay tributes to Liberation War martyrs and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Modi will place wreaths and plant sapling at the National Martyrs Memorial and will sign visitors’ book there.
He will also place wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and sign the visitors’ book there.
The Indian Prime Minister will attend the National Parade Ground programme on Friday afternoon. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, among others, will join.
He will jointly inaugurate Bangabandhu-Bapu Museum and attend state banquet preceded by a cultural programme hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Modi will have one-to-one meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart and will hold bilateral talks at the Prime Minister’s Office. He will also meet President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.
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The attack left at least 25 leaders and activists of progressive student wings including Pragati Barman Tana, Meghmallar Bose, Asmaney Asha, Sumaiya Setu as well as two photojournalists including Jibon Ahmed of Daily Manab Zamin and Rubel Rasid of Daily Desh Rupantor.
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