Friday, April 26, 2024
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called bilateral relations between Bangladesh-India role model for neighbourhood diplomacy, hoping all the outstanding issues, including Teesta Water Sharing Treaty, will be resolved soon likewise many issues solved in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.
"I reiterated that India is the most important and closest neighbour of Bangladesh. Bangladesh-India’s bilateral relations are known to be role model for neighbourhood diplomacy," she said.
The prime minister said in a statement issued after holding bilateral talks between Bangladesh prime minister and her Indian counterpart and witnessing the exchange of several deals and MoUs signed between the authorities concerned of the two countries at the Hyderabad House.
She noted that over the last decade, both countries have achieved remarkable progress in a number of areas.
"The two countries had resolved many outstanding issues in the spirit of friendship and cooperation and we expressed hope for all outstanding issues, including the signing of the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty, at an early date," she added.
ALSO READ - Dhaka, New Delhi sign 7 MoUs
The prime minister said she and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi concluded another round of fruitful discussion and its outcome will bring benefits to the people of both countries.
"We held the meeting in a spirit of close friendship and cooperation. We discussed a wide range of bilateral issues to take forward our relationship in the days ahead," she said.
She also said during the talks they stressed the need for focusing on possible ways to materialise commitments and accommodate each other's priorities in a mutually beneficial manner.
"Connectivity, trade and commerce, investment, water resources management, security, border and lines of credit are some of the areas we discussed," she said.
She mentioned that having forged a strong partnership over the last 50 years, both countries are working on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.
"I and Prime Minister Modi agreed to pursue collaborative efforts to sustain our economic growth and maintain peace, security and stability in the two countries and in the region," she said.
If Bangladesh and India can work together as partners, Sheikh Hasina said, it will bring benefits not only to the countries but also will bring peace and prosperity to the region as a whole.
The prime minister said that bounded by 54 common rivers and 4,000 kilometres of border, Bangladesh and India are committed to enhancing the collective welfare of the people.
After the talks with Narendra Modi, she is expecting to call on the president and vice-president of India.
After that, she will award 'Mujib Scholarships' to the direct descendants of the soldiers/officers of the defence forces of India who were martyred or critically wounded during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
She also expressed her gratitude for the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of India in Bangladesh's Liberation War.
"Since then, Bangladesh-India ties are anchored in shared history and culture, mutual trust and respect, longstanding friendship and continued cooperation," she said.
The prime minister appreciated Narendra Modi's visionary leadership that continues to provide added momentum to bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries.
She, meanwhile, congratulated the government of India and its people on the successful completion of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' - the year-long celebrations marking the 75th year of India's independence.
