‘Futuristic Vision Of Cooperation’: PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina Ink Pacts With Focus On Blue Economy, Space, Railways

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina met in Hyderabad House in New Delhi for a bilateral meeting on Saturday and inked a raft of agreements focusing on boosting India-Bangladesh cooperation on maritime, healthcare, railways, telecommunications, ‘green’ and ‘blue economy’ and information technology sectors.

PM Modi and Hasina held wide-ranging talks and signed key pacts aiming to strengthen cooperation in the digital domain and building a “green partnership”. Pacts were also inked to boost ties in the maritime sphere and blue economy.

The Bangladesh prime minister began her two-day visit to India on Friday.

It is the first incoming bilateral state visit by a foreign leader after the formation of the new government in India following the Lok Sabha elections.

An agreement on railway connectivity was also inked.

“Today we have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. The youth of both the countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as green partnership, digital partnership, blue economy and space,” PM Modi said in his statement to the media.

His counterpart chose to highlight that India remains a trusted friend and a major neighbour while speaking to the media.

“India is our major neighbour, trusted friend and regional partner. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born out of the War of Liberation in 1971,” Hasina said.

The Bangladesh Awami League chief said the meetings were productive and she discussed cooperation in areas of security, trade, connectivity, sharing of water from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation.

“We agreed to collaborate with each other for the betterment of our people and countries. Today, we had very productive meetings where we discussed cooperation in areas of security, trade, connectivity, sharing of water from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation,” Hasina said.

She also paid homage to the “brave fallen heroes of India” who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 war.

“I recall with gratitude the contribution of the government and the people of India to Bangladesh’s independence,” she further added.

A Look At Key Pacts Signed

The foreign secretary of Bangladesh, Masood Bin Momen, and Indian foreign secretary, Vinay Kwatra, exchanged important documents during the signing of agreements between the both nations.

The following are the agreements signed between New Delhi and Dhaka:

• MoU On India-Bangladesh Green Partnership: This agreement focuses on the environmental initiatives and sustainable development goals.
• MoU On India-Bangladesh Maritime Cooperation And Blue Economy: The MoU focuses on strengthening maritime security, fostering collaboration between the two countries and exploring new opportunities in the blue economy sector.
• MoU On India-Bangladesh Cooperation On Health And Medicine: Renewed.
• MoU Between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) And Bangladesh’s Ministry of ICT and Telecom: This agreement focuses on enhancing cooperation in space technology and satellite communication. Signatories from the respective countries were Chairman and CEO of Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd Shahjahan Mehmood and Secretary of the Department of Space S Somnath.
• MoU Between Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Railway: The agreement aims to smoothen railway connectivity and facilitate cross-border transportation.
• MoU for Cooperation in Oceanography: Aims to deepen collaboration to conduct joint research and exploration in ocean sciences.
• MoU between the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief: Aimed at cooperation in disaster management strategies and resilience efforts.
• MoU between DSSC (Defence Services Staff College) Wellington and DSCSC (Defence Services Command and Staff College) Mirpur: Aims at promoting military education and strategic studies cooperation.

In the morning, Hasina visited Rajghat and paid rich tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Ahead of the talks, the visiting leader was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Hasina was among the seven top leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean Region who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union council of ministers on June 9.

(with inputs from agencies)