AGARTALA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed on Wednesday stated that poverty was the main enemy of North eastern states of India and Bangladesh and this issue should get top priority in the bilateral discussions between both the countries.
She was speaking at a meeting where trade delegation of both the countries were present.
Ms Hasina said collaboration and communication should be developed with India.
” If we want to get cent per cent FDI like India then we must develop these two for inclusive development.”
She said the Mongla Port and the Chittagong Port had been reopened for the Sotheast Asian countries including India and added that non-tariff barriers must be minimised to control trade deficit.
Hinting at the Teesta water sharing between the two neighbouring countries, she said she was positive about it.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister reiterated that she would not allow any anti-neighbour outfit to operate from its soil.
She demanded that Bangladesh should be given power after the gas based 726 MW Palatana Power Plant in South Tripura was commissioned.
”Bangladesh had given free passage to India to bring the equipment needed to build this plant and hence it was India’s duty to help her neighbour,” she observed.
Reacting to this, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson A Akbaruddin handed out a statement which read, ” India has a liberal policy permitting 100 per cent FDI in respect of projects relating to electicity generation, transmission and distribution.
In this regard the participation of Bangladesh in power projects in Northeastern states would be welcomed.
The details of such cooperation can be discussed at the forthcoming steering committee on power at the level of secretaries between both the countries. Meanwhile, Vice -President Hamid Ansari along with Union Human Resources minister Kapil Sibbal have come to Tripura on a two-day visit on Wednesday.
He would give away the Honorary D Litt award to Sheikh Hasina for her outstanding contibution to the the development of friendly ties between both the countries.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, along with her younger sister Rehana Siddiki and 60-other delegates, arrived here on Wednesday afternoon by a special Bangladesh Airlines flight.
Soon after her arrival, Ms Hasina headed to Prangya Bhavan here to address the India-Bangladesh trade meeting, being jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and its Bangladesh counterpart. (UNI)