New Delhi: Broadbasing their ties, India and Bangladesh on Saturday inked seven pacts and launched three projects after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
One of the projects included import of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) from Bangladesh for distribution in the North Eastern states.
Referring to the pact on LPG, Prime Minister Modi said that the bulk supply of the fuel from Bangladesh will benefit both the countries. “Through this agreement, export, income and employment will increase in Bangladesh,” he said.
The MoU for supply of LPG will involve export of the fuel by Omera Petroleum and Beximco LPG to state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), which will bottle and sell it to consumers.
Talking about the agreement signed on Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute, Modi said: “It will help in nurturing skilled manpower for economic growth of Bangladesh.”
About the project of Vivekananda Bhavan at the Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka, Modi said: “It takes inspiration from the lives of two great human beings — Swami Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda — who have an indelible impact on our societies and values.”
“Like the generosity and open spirit of Bangla culture, this mission also has a place for all the followers of all the sections. And this mission celebrates the festival of every sect of the society equally. The Bhavan has more than 100 university students and research scholars,” Modi said.
He said that India prioritises its partnership with Bangladesh. “We are proud that the India-Bangladesh relationship is an excellent example of cooperation between two friendly neighbours across the world and I am glad that our conversation will give more energy to our relationship today.”
The pacts signed after Modi-Hasina talks provided for deeper cooperation between the two countries in areas of water resources, youth affairs, culture, education and coastal surveillance.
In a brief media statement, Modi said India accords priority to its ties with Bangladesh and increasing cooperation between the two neighbouring countries should be model for the entire world. “I am happy that today’s talks will further energise our bilateral ties,” he said in presence of Hasina.
Modi said in the last one year, the two sides launched a total of 12 projects, including three inaugurated on Saturday, which reflected the intensity in ties between the two sides.
In her remarks, Hasina said ties between the two countries have been on an upswing in the last few years including in areas of maritime security, civil nuclear energy and trade.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Hasina.
“EAM @DrSJaishankar had a warm conversation with Bangladesh PM #SheikhHasina. Reaffirmed India’s highest priority to her relations with Bangladesh,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
The Bangladeshi prime minister arrived here on a four-day visit on Thursday. She attended the World Economic Forum on Thursday and Friday.
This is her first visit to India since parliamentary elections were held in Bangladesh and India. Ties between the two countries have been on an upswing in the last few years.
(Agencies)
