India, Bangladesh sign 7 accords, launch work on 5 projects

NEW DELHI

India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and launched work on five projects, including energy and railroads.

MoUs on water sharing, railways, space, science, and the judiciary were signed in front of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina in the capital New Delhi.

In a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Modi said Bangladesh is India's largest development and trade partner in the region and that expanding connectivity and trade infrastructure at borders will help both countries grow.

The countries' relationship will reach new heights in the coming years, according to a joint statement issued following a meeting between the two leaders.

“Bangladesh is the biggest trade partner in the region. The people-to-people connectivity between both countries has increased. The expansion of connectivity and trade infrastructure at borders will help in the growth of both countries,” Modi said.

“In recent years, both sides have sustained a high level of engagement. The visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical and cultural ties and mutual trust and understanding,” according to the statement.

Sheikh Hasina is on a four-day visit to India, and she met with External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Monday after landing in New Delhi.

“Trade between both countries is increasing rapidly. We have decided to extend cooperation in the IT, Space and Nuclear sectors. Talks are also underway between India and Bangladesh on power transmission lines," Modi said during the meeting.

There are 54 rivers which flow through the India-Bangladesh border and are linked to the livelihood of people in both countries, he said, adding that “Today, we have signed an important agreement regarding water-sharing of Kushiyara River.”

“We thank PM Modi for resolving the issue of the Kushiyara river,” Hasina said at a joint press conference after the meeting.

"We hope that all outstanding issues, including the Teesta water-sharing treaty, will be resolved as soon as possible. I am confident that as long as Prime Minister Modi is present, Bangladesh and India will resolve all of their issues. In the spirit of friendship and cooperation, the two countries have resolved many outstanding issues,” she said.

Bangladesh's prime minister also congratulated India on the completion of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a year-long celebration marking India's 75th year of independence.

“At the new dawn for the next 25 years, I extend our best wishes as India moves forward to attaining the resolutions made for Aatmanirbhar Bharat," she said.

Sheikh Hasina will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar later in the day.