Digital, energy connectivity new focus as Hasina-Modi begin fresh journey. Bangladesh and India have embarked on a new journey towards development and friendship with a shared vision for peace, prosperity and development of the two neighbours and the entire region, driven by connectivity, commerce and collaboration.
Digital and energy connectivity have been set as the new focus in this journey as both the leaders – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi – have in the last 10 years restored the physical connectivity that existed before 1965.
In her unprecedented second visit to Delhi in the same month, Sheikh Hasina has agreed with her counterpart Narendra Modi “to collaborate with each other for the betterment of our people and countries”.
Digital, energy connectivity new focus as Hasina-Modi begin fresh journey
They took note of the need “to take the relationship to a deeper and higher quality relationship based on mutual trust and benefit in the coming days.”
Ten MoUs, including the renewal of three, were signed after the bilateral talks on Saturday when Narendra Modi announced India’s intention to work with Bangladesh on contentious issues such as Teesta River management.
“India has a new government; we have a new government too. Our new journey on the path of development and friendship has begun – that’s what I want to say,” PM Sheikh Hasina said.
“India is a big country, a big economy and getting their support is very important for us. We have been able to make a lot of progress because of this friendly relationship,” she said.
“I think there are wars going on all over the world. But in this sub-continent of ours, we have been able to develop a perfect relationship and this is how the friendship between our two countries has developed,” she added.
“Today we have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. The youth of both countries will benefit from the agreement reached on cooperation in a lot of areas, such as Green Partnership, Digital Partnership, Blue Economy, Space,” PM Modi said.
“The India-Bangladesh Maitri Satellite will give new heights to our partnership. We have kept our focus- Connectivity, Commerce and Collaboration. In the last ten years, we have restored the connectivity that existed before 1965. Now we will focus more on digital and energy connectivity,” he asserted.
“This will boost the economies of both countries. To take our economic relations to new heights, both sides have agreed to start negotiations on CEPA. India will support the construction of an Inland Container Depot in Sirajganj, Bangladesh.”
The two-day state visit by the Bangladesh leader generated much hype as it was the first incoming visit to India by any head of government after Modi came to power for the third term. This was also the first bilateral visit for PM Hasina after she came to power in January for a fourth consecutive term. She attended the swearing-in ceremony of Modi on June 9 with other heads of governments.
Both leaders recognized the gesture as Modi said: “This meeting is special as PM Sheikh Hasina is our first state guest in our third tenure”.
Hasina reciprocated: “I am now visiting New Delhi for an unprecedented second time in the same month – June 2024.”
After the bilateral talks, both leaders announced their shared vision, which is the first of its kind.
They took note of the need to take the relationship to a deeper level and higher quality based on mutual trust and benefit in the coming days.
“We are confident that this Shared Vision for Future will provide further impetus to strengthening our historic ties and building a future-ready partnership by further developing the current ‘Sonaali Adhyaay’ in our bilateral relations.”
Both leaders reaffirmed their mutual desire to guide India-Bangladesh ties to a new era of future-oriented partnership, for which they recognize each other as indispensable partners in realizing their respective national development visions of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041”.
As a close and valued neighbour with rapidly growing capabilities, Bangladesh is at the converging point of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, “Act East” policy, SAGAR doctrine and the Indo-Pacific vision, and an indispensable partner in the development of India’s northeastern region.
On the other hand, Bangladesh values its relationship with India as its closest and friendly neighbour. Bangladesh considers India an important partner in the pursuit of its Neighborhood Foreign Policy for ensuring shared peace and prosperity.
Together, they agreed to pursue a “transformative partnership” that advances the shared interests in promoting multi-faceted connectivity for both the countries as well as the entire region by transforming the geographical proximity into new economic opportunities.
This will include connectivity in its broadest form – physical connectivity covering multi-modal transport and cross-border trade & transit infrastructure for seamless cross-border movement of people, goods and services, as well as energy connectivity and digital connectivity.
As part of our sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will extend transit facilities for movement of Bangladesh goods to Nepal and Bhutan through railway network.
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