Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina reviewed strategic bilateral ties and discussed ways to further deepen the economic and cultural linkages.

They took stock of the progress in various areas including in preserving the legacy of 1971, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water resources, security and defence cooperation, power and energy. 

Both PMs encouraged bilateral cooperation in new areas like Artificial Intelligence, big data, fin tech and societal applications of nuclear energy.

The two sides signed five MoUs covering areas such as connectivity, commerce, information technology and sports.

Modi’s two-day visit took place at a time Bangladesh is commemorating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the country's War of Liberation. 

The visit symbolised the partnership of half-a-century between India and Bangladesh that has strengthened, matured and evolved as a model for bilateral relations for the entire region.

Five MoUs signed:

1) MoU on cooperation in the field of disaster management, resilience and mitigation.

2) MoU between Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and National Cadet Corps of India (INCC).

3) MoU on establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures between Bangladesh and India.

4) Tripartite MoU on supply of ICT equipment, courseware & reference books and training for Bangladesh-Bharot Digital Service and Employment Training (BDSET) Centre.

5) Tripartite MoU for establishment of sports facilities at Rajshahi College field and surrounding areas.

New projects inaugurated

• Laid foundation stone for a memorial in the honour of the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives during Liberation War of 1971 at Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria.

• Laid foundation stone for Rooppur Power Evacuation Project of five packages (Amin Bazar – Kaliakoir, Rooppur – Dhaka, Rooppur – Gopalganj, Rooppur – Dhamrai, Rooppur – Bogra).

Inaugurated  three border haats:

• Nalikata (India) – Saydabad (Bangladesh)

• Ryngku (India) - Bagan Bari (Bangladesh)

• Bholaganj (India) – Bholaganj (Bangladesh).

• Inaugurated Rabindra Bhawan facilities in Kuthibari.

• Inaugurated ‘Mitali Express’ — passenger train service on Dhaka-New Jalpaiguri-Dhaka route through Chilahati-Haldibari rail link.

Other highlights of the visit

To mark the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh friendship, both sides released respective commemorative postage stamps. 

The two leaders decided to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognized Bangladesh in the year 1971. 

India announced the establishment of Bangabandhu Chair at the University of Delhi. 

Both sides announced linking of the historic road between Mujibnagar and Nadia naming it Shadhinota Shorok.

India announced 1,000 Shuborno Jayanti Scholarships for Bangladeshi students for pursuing education/courses in India.

To reinforce the cooperation in the health sector and based on requirements indicated by Bangladesh, India announced gifting of 109 life support ambulances to Bangladesh

The two leaders directed their respective ministries of water resources to work towards an early conclusion of the Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six common rivers — Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.

Recalling that the MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from Feni River was signed during the visit of PM Hasina in October 2019, India urged the Bangladesh side for early implementation of the MoU. The two leaders directed the Joint Technical Committee, formed for the purpose, to expeditiously commence the feasibility study of the Ganges-Padma barrage and other alternative options in Bangladesh for optimum utilization of the Ganges waters received by Bangladesh as per the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, 1996.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the robust cooperation in the power and energy sector, including between the private sectors. It was agreed to strengthen sub-regional cooperation, including with Nepal and Bhutan and in this regard cooperation in energy was underscored. India requested early finalisation of modalities for implementation of the Katihar–Parbotipur–Bornagar cross border electricity interconnection. 

PM Modi visited the Jeshoreshwari Devi Temple in Jessore and Matua temple in Orakandi, the birthplace of Hindu mystic figure and Matua community's spiritual guru Sri Sri Harichand Thakur.

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