[🇧🇩] Indo-Bangla Relation: India's Regional Ambition, Geopolitical Reality, and Strategic Options For Bangladesh

[Saif]

PM likely to visit India on June 21

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India on June 21 less than 15 days after attending the inauguration of her counterpart Narendra Modi’s third term on June 9. The prime ministers of the two countries are expected to hold bilateral meetings on the following day at the Hyderabad

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

PM likely to visit India on June 21
She is expected visit Beijing after New Delhi
Published :
Jun 15, 2024 14:21
Updated :
Jun 15, 2024 14:21

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India on June 21 less than 15 days after attending the inauguration of her counterpart Narendra Modi's third term on June 9.
The prime ministers of the two countries are expected to hold bilateral meetings on the following day at the Hyderabad House, local news portals said on Saturday citing diplomatic sources at Dhaka and New Delhi.

Besides, a foreign ministry official said, Sheikh Hasina is expected to visit China on July 8. She will hold bilateral meetings Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang.​

 

[Bilal9]

India now wants to run Mongla port

Neighbouring India now wants to operate Bangladesh's second-seaport Mongla where it already enjoys transhipment facility to transport cargoes to and from its landlocked north-eastern states, sources said. The proposal is being seen as part of their expanding footprint in strategically import

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India now wants to run Mongla port
Currently enjoys trade transhipment
SYFUL ISLAM
Published :
Jun 01, 2024 00:02
Updated :
Jun 01, 2024 00:02

View attachment 6221

Neighbouring India now wants to operate Bangladesh's second-seaport Mongla where it already enjoys transhipment facility to transport cargoes to and from its landlocked north-eastern states, sources said.

The proposal is being seen as part of their expanding footprint in strategically important Asian ports.

To pursue the plan, a delegation of India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), an entity under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, visited the Mongla seaport, days before striking a long-term deal to operate Chabahar port in Iran in mid-May.

In April this year, India also secured right to operate Sittwe Port in Myanmar, which will also be managed by IPGL.

Managing Director of IPGL Sunil Mukundan led the Indian delegation to Mongla port where he expressed interest in operating the seaport. The delegation members included other high officials from the IPGL and also some officials from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

They had a meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Md Firoz Al Wahid, Chief Engineer (Mechanical & Electrical), Mongla Port Authority, and his team after visiting the jetties and other facilities of the port.

Contacted, Mr Wahid told the FE Thursday that the Indian delegation expressed interest in operating the port.

"We welcomed their offer and asked them to submit their proposal in writing," he said.

Mr Wahid said once received, the port authority would evaluate the pros and cons of the proposal before taking a decision.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

This is insane. The clueless Bangladeshi officials should always look at reciprocity. If India lets Bangladesh operate one of their ports, then this can be a matter of discussion. Otherwise, no cigar. India is not Dubai or Singapore, their port standards are the worst globally. This is a fact, not opinion.

How does the Indian side even propose something like this , is beyond me. Their ports (even private ones) are probably the most inefficiently run ports, and forget about container throughput standards.

The container throughput of the entire collection of East Coast Indian ports (Kolkata Haldia, Chennai, Vizag et al) is below that of Chittagong, ONE port in Bangladesh (over three and a half million TEU yearly and going up 20% when new jetties (Patenga) were added.

Then we have other ports like Mongla, expansion of jetties in Chittagong, and a massive new port coming up in Matarbari. I think Indians need to run their own ports efficiently first, before they propose to run ports in other countries. Khayesh and Khayali Pulau are some things, and reality is another.

Clearly "control" is at play here, not running ports.

 

[Bilal9]

Indian firm to upgrade Mongla port

Egis India Consulting Engineers Private Limited has been appointed as consultant for a capacity building project worth Tk 6,014 crore at Mongla port, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh.

www.thedailystar.net

Indian firm to upgrade Mongla port
Agreement signed for the Tk 6,014cr project

View attachment 6416
Once the project is implemented, Mongla port will be able to handle 1,800 vessels and 50 lakh tonnes of cargo annually, according to the port authority, while the port's annual revenue is expected to increase by Tk 150 crore. Photo: Anisur Rahman

Egis India Consulting Engineers Private Limited has been appointed as consultant for a capacity building project worth Tk 6,014 crore at Mongla port, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh.

The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) and Egis India yesterday signed the related agreement, styled "Upgradation of Mongla port", at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in the capital.

Of the estimated Tk 6,014 crore project, the government will finance Tk 1,555 crore from its own coffer while India will provide Tk 4,459 crore as assistance under its line of credit.

The project is scheduled to be complete by July 30, 2024.

The upgradation works include constructing a container terminal, handling and delivery yards, a residential complex and community facilities, marine workshop, multi-storey car lots, service jetty, and more.

Besides, the MPA will procure eight vessels to support port operations, such as loading and unloading goods from larger ships.

Once implemented, Mongla port will be able to handle 1,800 vessels, 50 lakh tonnes of cargo, 4 lakh twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) containers and 10,000 vehicles annually, according to the MPA.

In addition, the port's annual revenue is expected to increase by Tk 150 crore while that of related customs and other agencies could grow by as much as Tk 3,000 crore.

Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, chairman of the MPA, and Laurent Germain, chief executive officer of Egis India, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective parties.

Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, the state minister for shipping, was present as chief guest while Pranay Verma, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, acted as a special guest.

Chowdhury said the seaport will achieve new heights in regards to handling import-export cargo once the upgradation work is complete.

"Mongla port will move closer to Chattogram port's capacity. Not just Bangladesh, but neighbouring nations will also benefit from the port," he added.

The shipping minister went on to say that the project will help expand business and employment opportunities in the country through enhanced multimodal connectivity.​

Useless project and money down the drain. India does not manufacture even one significant piece of container handling equipment (unlike China or other EU countries), so how they will "improve" container handling is beyond me.

And why this AL govt. awards projects to Indian firms is also questionable to me. The pedigree and experience of this Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury guy as a shipping minister was always open to debate, and now he has been proven to be "on the take" as well.

Look at the math. Tk 6,014 crore project and at an annual return in improvement of Tk. 150 crore. It will take roughly 40 years to pay this off to India with interest. Even that rate of return is questionable.

 

[Bilal9]

This is easily the most common view of India from Bangladesh, paid back in the same coin.

Until successive Indian govts. learn to respect a sovereign nation like Bangladesh in a mature manner, it will continue to be #IndiaOut, always.

We don't relish disrespecting a whole govt. but until things improve, populists in Bangladesh will continue to hold this opinion.
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View from Bangladesh: How Grateful is India?

One Bangladeshi writer laments how India disrespects his nation despite it being grateful for Delhi's help in his country's liberation war. "Our neighboring nation should have had a more mature attitude after all these years," he says.
By Ekram Kabir

I hope all of you remember how Mandira Bedi expressed her dissatisfaction on a show with Charu Sharma on SET Max TV when, to her displeasure, Bangladesh beat India. That was in 2007. God knows how many times she uttered the word "minnow" while talking about the Bangladesh team.

She was very rude, full of ridicule for Bangladesh's win. More than a billion viewers watched her anger as she fumed with jealousy against Bangladesh as if she was trying to say that it was okay to lose against anyone -- West Indies, Australia, England -- but NOT to BANGLADESH!

After all these years, I had the same feeling when I saw the news that Bangladesh was set to surpass India in terms of per capita GDP in 2020 as predicted by the International Monetary Fund and that it had come as a shock to many Indians. The IMF's latest World Economic Outlook report said: "Bangladesh's per capita GDP would rise to $1,887.97 at current prices at the end of this year, up 3.96% from $1,816.04 in 2019. India's per capita GDP would fall to $1,877 in 2020, a decline of 10.3%."

Some Indian media outlets have appreciated Bangladesh's progress, and have criticized their own government's policies. However, many others -- both on social and traditional media -- found this piece of information very hard to digest. Many were seen heartbroken regarding this.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also couldn't accept the fact, attacking the BJP government, saying: "Solid achievement of six years of BJP's hate-filled cultural nationalism -- Bangladesh set to overtake India."

Well, his mission seemed to have more to do with politics than Bangladesh's status as a "minnow," but the tinge of sadness in his mind was quite evident.

The reason I cited these two examples is because we in Bangladesh have a belief that India, the country that helped us during our Liberation War, still looks upon us as an unsuccessful nation. Millions of Indians tend to think that Bangladeshis will always remain in their backyard -- always dependent on them, Bangladesh will remain underdeveloped, and not much else can be expected from this nation.

This attitude pains me. I won't deny the fact that there's a strong anti-Indian sentiment running in the minds of many Bangladeshis, but no Bangladeshi considers India as a backward or unsuccessful country. We learn a lot from Indian culture, literature, politics, and history. And we quite often express our gratitude for their help in 1971.

However, we should always remember that Bangladesh is in no way in competition with any other nation. We rejoice in our success among ourselves and we feel sad in our own failures.

Since our independence, we have been giving more to India than we have taken. We contribute to the Indian economy in a big way.

Indians working in Bangladesh send an enormous amount of remittance to their country from ours. As of November 2019, a report said the total annual remittance inflow into India from Bangladesh had reached $16.67 billion.

If we look at the number of Bangladeshi patients seeking medical treatment in India, it will be clear how much India earns from us.

I don't have any current data, but I can cite a report released by the Indian government in 2017. The report said, one in three foreign patients in India was from Bangladesh. Of the 460,000 inbound patients in Indian hospitals, more than 165,000 were from Bangladesh. Bangladeshis had bought over $343 million worth of services.

There's more.

One report says that 60% of the buyers in West Bengal are from Bangladesh. Did you notice that West Bengal -- especially Kolkata -- markets during the last two Eids when the Covid-time travel restrictions were on? Their markets looked deserted.

Here in Bangladesh, the markets are normally flooded with Indian apparel during our Eids. Despite that fact, thousands of Bangladeshis still prefer to go to India for Eid shopping.

In 2017, an estimated 150,000 shoppers went to India. If the shoppers had bought goods worth at least $1,000 each, they would have ended up spending $1,170 crore. But many spend way more than that.

We are a market for many other Indian goods and products. The country earns enormously from selling these goods and products to 165 million Bangladeshis.

And this is how Bangladesh has always given more to India. Sometimes, we feel that we deserve to be praised by India but, instead, what we receive is high-pitched jealousy whenever we achieve something good.

We don't expect this from India, a country that should have become more mature in all these years.

Ekram Kabir is a yogi, a story-teller, and a communications professional. His other works can be found on ekramkabir.com.

 

[Saif]

Clearly "control" is at play here, not running ports.

Sea ports and Air ports are strategic assets. India wants to get a firm grip on Bangladesh by getting transit through Bangladesh and by controlling our ports. This way India manages to reduce our strategic value to China significantly.

 

[Saif]

Useless project and money down the drain. India does not manufacture even one significant piece of container handling equipment (unlike China or other EU countries), so how they will "improve" container handling is beyond me.

And why this AL govt. awards projects to Indian firms is also questionable to me. The pedigree and experience of this Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury guy as a shipping minister was always open to debate, and now he has been proven to be "on the take" as well.

Look at the math. Tk 6,014 crore project and at an annual return in improvement of Tk. 150 crore. It will take roughly 40 years to pay this off to India with interest. Even that rate of return is questionable.

We should have given the project to China instead of India. India with its subpar technology will end up making the Mongla port more inefficient in the name of improving it.

 

[Saif]

Teesta, connectivity to dominate talks

The Teesta development project, signing of the long pending Teesta water sharing deal, renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty signed in 1996 and connectivity of the...

www.newagebd.net

Teesta, connectivity to dominate talks
Staff Correspondent 20 June, 2024, 01:00

Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi

The Teesta development project, signing of the long pending Teesta water sharing deal, renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty signed in 1996 and connectivity of the north-eastern states of India through Bangladesh are likely to dominate the bilateral talks between Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi in June 22.

Foreign ministry officials have taken all preparations for the PM-level talks as Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to fly to New Delhi on June 21 on a two-day visit at the invitation of Narendra Modi, a second trip to India in less than 15 days after the Bharatiya Janata Party formed the government for the third consecutive term.

'Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Friday on a two-day bilateral visit to India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the bilateral talks between the two leaders as per schedule would be held on June 22, ' foreign ministry spokesperson and also director general of the Public Diplomacy wing Seheli Sabrin told New Age on Wednesday.

Asked about the meeting agenda, she said that officials were still working on it.

India has very recently expressed its willingness to support a mega development plan on the trans-boundary River Teesta inside Bangladesh, where China has already shown its interest and completed a survey for a $1 billion project.

Indian external affairs secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra conveyed the message during a courtesy call on foreign minister Hasan Mahmud at his Segunbagicha office in Dhaka in May, taking to the fore India's interest to counter China in its bordering area.

Vinay Mohan also paid a courtesy call on prime minister Sheikh Hasina at her office during the visit.

However, this would be Sheikh Hasina's first bilateral meeting with Narendra Modi after taking over as prime minister for the fourth consecutive term through the January 7 general election. She attended administering of the oath to Narendra Modi as prime minister of India for the third term running on June 9.

The Teesta development project as well as the water sharing of common rivers, including Teesta, and the renewal of the 30-year Ganges treaty expiring in 2026 would remain high on agenda besides India's issue of connectivity of the north-eastern states through Bangladesh, trade and defence partnership in the bilateral talks, according to officials concerned.

New Delhi has long been foot-dragging on the Teesta water-sharing treaty with Dhaka, adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people in the Rangpur region.

Talking on the issue, a retired foreign secretary recently told New Age if India seriously takes the project to counter China, it may go ahead but may face the same situation of the other projects under the Indian line of credit that were not advancing at an expected pace, while a former diplomat said that Bangladesh should weigh both proposals and look into their terms to find a better one.

The Teesta becomes almost dry in the lean season due to the unilateral withdrawal of water upstream in India, while in monsoon, the common river overflows, causing frequent floods in Bangladesh as Indian authorities open floodgates of the Gajoldoba barrage to offload water pressure.

Biodiversity and agriculture in Bangladesh's northern districts have been seriously affected in the absence of any water-sharing treaty between the two countries.

After finalisation of the draft of the Teesta deal by the two sides, India backtracked on signing the treaty just hours before the arrival of then-Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in Dhaka on September 6, 2011, on the plea that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee objected to the agreement.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina-Modi bilateral meet and expectations

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to start for Delhi on June 21, for Indo-Bangladesh bilateral summit meeting. This will be her second visit to Delhi within 11 days as she concluded her last trip to Delhi on June 10. According to diplomatic circles, such visit within such a short span of t

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina-Modi bilateral meet and expectations
MOSTAFIZUR RAHMAN
Published :
Jun 19, 2024 21:24
Updated :
Jun 19, 2024 21:24

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to start for Delhi on June 21, for Indo-Bangladesh bilateral summit meeting. This will be her second visit to Delhi within 11 days as she concluded her last trip to Delhi on June 10.
According to diplomatic circles, such visit within such a short span of time is rare. Of course, this reflects the closeness of ties between the two neighbours which is often termed a 'unique' relationship.

However, people in general are eager to see what benefits Bangladesh can derive from such a strong bilateral relationship.

In her last three tenures since 2009, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina walked extra miles to strengthen ties with the biggest neighbour of the country. Transit and trans-shipment were provided, a band of insurgent leaders were handed over to India and tough stance was taken to ensure that Indian insurgents cannot use any part of Bangladesh as hideouts.

Once there was bold opposition among many Bangladeshis against providing India the transition and transshipment facilities, which have brought out a sea change in the transportation of goods and people between the two wings of India. But against all odds, Hasina took this phenomenal step.

However, it is widely believed that Indian political leadership has failed to reciprocate the very generous gesture of Bangladesh. The first example is its failure to ink the deal on the water sharing of Teesta River.

The deal was agreed by both sides and was supposed to be signed during the then Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in 2011.

But at the last minute, India backed out citing opposition from the West Bengal government. Despite promises that the deal would be concluded 'very soon', it remains unfulfilled till now and there is no sign of materialising it in the near future.

Next comes the issue of border killing. Every year a good number of Bangladeshi people are killed by the Birder Security Forces (BSF) of India.

In every bilateral meetings, the Indian leadership promised to put an end to such killing of unarmed civilians by the BSF. And on several occasions both sides agreed to stop the use of lethal weapons by the border guards, but to no avail.

In no other parts of the world, border guards of a country kill unarmed civilians of its neighbours.

The BSF claim that they are compelled to shoot when they themselves are attacked by 'criminal elements' from Bangladesh. It is no secret that crime like smuggling or human trafficking is not a one-sided affair.

People from both sides are involved in such criminal activities. Even involvement of border forces of either side is often revealed in several reports. In any case, killing of civilians is not acceptable. And it is a major barrier to creating a true and lasting friendship between the people of the two countries, who have a long history of shared struggle and prosperity.

It is widely believed that an appropriate step from Delhi's political leadership is enough to stop such border killings. India recently took some steps to resolve the age-old disputes that include signing of the Land Boundary Agreement and lifting of export ban on essential commodities like onion. But people of Bangladesh expect that Indian leadership will also go the extra mile for resolving issues like border killing and water sharing.

Let us hope that during the upcoming visit, there will be a significant outcome in this regard.​

 

[Saif]

PM’S India Visit: Defence, Teesta project, port likely to be on agenda

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi on June 21-22 will focus on some key issues in bilateral relations that have regional geopolitical significance.

www.thedailystar.net

PM'S India Visit: Defence, Teesta project, port likely to be on agenda
Both sides finalising several deals, MoUs, say diplomatic sources

File photo of PM Sheikh Hasina/PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to New Delhi on June 21-22 will focus on some key issues in bilateral relations that have regional geopolitical significance.

Issues such as water, port and defence will be discussed, The Daily Star has learnt from diplomatic sources in Dhaka and New Delhi.

Fresh loans from India under a new framework will also be high on the agenda of the bilateral talks as Bangladesh grapples with a crunch in foreign currency reserves, they said.

Besides, the Myanmar crisis, especially the intense fighting in Rakhine State, will feature prominently during the delegation-level meeting between Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The Bangladesh premier is scheduled to reach New Delhi in the afternoon tomorrow. On June 22, she will hold the delegation-level meeting centring on a new phase in the bilateral relationship, a diplomat told The Daily Star yesterday.

The two countries are finalising several agreements and memorandums of understanding that may be signed during Hasina's tour of India.

TEESTA PROJECT

The issue of funding for the "Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project" will feature prominently in the talks, according to diplomatic sources in Dhaka and New Delhi.

The agreement was finalised in 2011, but could not be inked due to opposition from West Bengal.

The Economic Relations Division sought a $983.27 million loan from China to implement the Teesta project, which includes river dredging, setting up reservoirs and building townships along the river.

On October 13, 2022, then-Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said his country was serious about implementing the project, but also had a sense of reluctance due to sensitive issues surrounding it.

During a visit to Dhaka on May 9, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud that India was interested in financing the Teesta project.

On June 13, Hasina told the parliament that the government was considering a proposal for a detailed feasibility study for the Teesta project as China's evaluation pointed out that there was a lack of detailed proposals on land development and water navigation.

"Our government needs to know whether India would sign the Teesta water sharing agreement because the river restoration and management project would depend on this," said Faiz Ahmad, a former ambassador of Bangladesh to China.

India and China also can fund different components of the project, said Ahmad, also a former chair of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.

A diplomat in New Delhi said the two prime ministers will also discuss the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty that was signed in 1996. The treaty is set to expire in 2026.

To be continued.............​

 

[Saif]

MONGLA PORT

India is keen to manage the Mongla river port, which is crucial for better connectivity between Kolkata and India's north-eastern states, said a diplomatic source in New Delhi.

According to a report in India's The Economic Times, India has shown interest in managing Mongla port as it aligns with the country's broader strategy to counter China's expanding influence in the region.

It should not be an issue if Bangladesh gives the port handling work to India, Ahmad said.

"Japan is already working on Matarbari deep sea port, and China can manage the Payra Port in Patuakhali. But we need to be careful so that we don't upset anyone by satisfying another," he added.

India is also keen to develop an alternative network of railway routes through Bangladesh to connect its northeast with the rest of the country. This would reduce India's reliance on the existing route through Siliguri, according to a report by The Times of India.

"Detailed negotiation on such projects is needed to know whether Indian trains will run on Bangladesh's territory and whether Bangladesh's trains can use India's territories," Ahmad said.

According to sources, India may in principle approve the supply of electricity from Bhutan to Bangladesh using its power grid.

India is also likely to push for defence equipment sales to Bangladesh under the $500 million line of credit.

Bangladesh will seek smooth supply of essentials like wheat, sugar and onions from India.

The two leaders may also announce the launch of formal negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), said Bangladesh foreign ministry sources.

The issue of border killings will also be on the agenda.​

 

[Saif]

Invest in Bangladesh, PM tells Indian businesspersons

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today invited Indian businesspersons to invest in Bangladesh, stating that she prioritises neighbouring countries

www.thedailystar.net

Invest in Bangladesh, PM tells Indian businesspersons

Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today invited Indian businesspersons to invest in Bangladesh, stating that she prioritises neighbouring countries.

"You come to Bangladesh and make investment," she said while interacting with a delegation of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) which called on her in New Delhi this evening.

The PM's private industry and investment affairs adviser Salman F Rahman while talking to the media said the prime minister reiterated that she believes in "neighbourhood first" and she prioritises neighbouring countries of Bangladesh for trade, business, and investment.

Hasina pointed out that Bangladesh is developing 100 special economic zones and the Indian entrepreneurs can invest there.

Salman said the CII delegation told Hasina that they, in collaboration with the FBCCI, want to work in various sectors in Bangladesh, in agriculture, IT, and logistics.

He said Bangladesh businessmen raised the issues of non-tariff barriers and told the CII delegation to call upon the Indian government to address the issues.

FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Nitol Niloy Group Chairman Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Pran-RFL Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury and some other Bangladeshi businessmen also participated in the meeting.

Besides, Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Limited Sanjiv Puri, Director General of CII Chandrajit Banerjee, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited Shobana Kamineni, Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, CEO of Dabur India Limited Mohit Malhotra,CEO (Energy) of Adani Power Limited Deepak Amitabh, Executive Director and COO of Saankhya Labs Vishwakumara Kayargadde were among those present.​

 

[Saif]

Hasina, Jaishankar for advancing India-Bangladesh partnership

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called for sustained dialogues between Bangladesh and India to exchange ideas and experiences to help overcome the challenges in their journey towards economic development

www.thedailystar.net

Hasina, Jaishankar for advancing India-Bangladesh partnership

Photo: X/Dr S Jaishankar

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called for sustained dialogues between Bangladesh and India to exchange ideas and experiences to help overcome the challenges in their journey towards economic development.

"We could exchange our experiences, and the challenges we are experiencing for our economic development. And we could resolve those through dialogues," she told Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who called on her at Hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi.

PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah briefed reporters after the meeting and said the two leaders discussed to advance the partnership between the two countries after forming the new governments in the two countries.

"The two new governments [in India and Bangladesh] have come to power taking mandates [of the people]. So, new visions will be there in the two countries," he said.

Jaishankar said the relations between Bangladesh and India have moved to such a height that it could take off for a new chapter. And that could be done in the area of trade, Tofazzel said.

Jaishankar said India wants to work with Bangladesh in a more substantive way in the sectors of logistics, energy, and connectivity.

Hasina and Jaishankar agreed to strengthen BIMSTEC saying it would be beneficial for Bangladesh in trade, connectivity, and digitisation.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wanted to go beyond South Asia. That means we have to simultaneously look at South East Asia to work with," said Toffazel.

The PM emphasised expediting the completion of pending developmental projects involving the two neighbouring countries. Both agreed on this issue, Tofazzel said.

On the Rohingya issue, the principal secretary said border areas of Bangladesh and India are being hit by the ongoing fighting between Myanmar government and rebel groups.​

 

[Saif]

AL starts celebrating 75th anniversary with procession

The Awami League has launched its 75th founding anniversary celebrations with a possession in Dhaka. Leaders and activists from local units in the capital gathered at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in Ramna on Friday afternoon and marched to Dhanmondi 32 after a brief rally, reports bdne

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina's Visit: It's very important; both sides have a lot of expectations, says India
Published :
Jun 21, 2024 18:02
Updated :
Jun 21, 2024 18:02

India has said they are committed to "deepen and strengthen" the "very special partnership" that they have with Bangladesh as the two leaders are set to discuss all the issues on Saturday for a broader cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
"It is a very important visit for us. Both sides have a lot of expectations because the relationship is so special and so friendly," Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal at a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.

Tomorrow, he said, all will get to know the details about the discussions, MoUs and agreements that are likely to be signed.

"But both sides are committed to deepen and strengthen the very special partnership," said the MEA Spokesperson.

At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi on Friday as part of her two-day state visit to India.

This is the first incoming bilateral state visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, said the MEA spokesperson.

He said there will be a post-visit press engagement and journalists will be able to know all the details on issues that the two sides would agree to do together on trade, connectivity and defence fronts.

During the visit, apart from holding bilateral consultations with the Indian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to call-on Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9, 2024.

A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at Palam Airport in New Delhi at 3:29pm (local time).

Earlier, the flight departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:00pm.

Indian Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and also Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman received Sheikh Hasina at the airport.

The prime minister was welcomed by traditional folks dancing there.

Both sides of the roads were decorated with the flags of Bangladesh and India, and placards of Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi.

Various types of placards in different languages welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were seen on both sides of the roads from Palam Airport to Hotel Taj Palace.

This is the first bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the BJP-led alliance formed its government for the third consecutive term.

During the visit, both the premiers will have a tête-à-tête (one to one meeting) followed by delegation level talks, and then Dhaka and New Delhi would sign several agreements and Memorandum of understandings to strengthen the existing bilateral ties further.

Additionally, discussions on a potential trade pact are expected. Over the past decade, numerous cross-border initiatives have been launched as part of a robust regional partnership plan.

This visit will be Hasina's second trip to the Indian capital in less than 15 days, as she was among the dignitaries invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Sheikh Hasina has amply proved that she can even sacrifice her own country's national interest for the sake of India's support to keep her at the helm of power in Bangladesh. She has chosen India as a partner for defense, space science, nuclear technology and Teesta River Management project. She, on the other hand, has subtracted China from Teesta, nuclear and space science projects. Shame on her

India's MEA details outcomes of Hasina-Modi summit

Bangladesh and India today agreed to work for the conservation and management of the Teesta river inside Bangladesh with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed timeframe and remain engaged to formulate the framework for interim water-sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers...

www.thedailystar.net

India's MEA details outcomes of Hasina-Modi summit

Bangladesh and India today agreed to work for the conservation and management of the Teesta river inside Bangladesh with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed timeframe and remain engaged to formulate the framework for interim water-sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission.

This was contained in a 14-paragraph document called "Shared Vision for Future: Enhancing Connectivity, Commerce and Collaboration for Shared Prosperity" issued after talks between Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi in New Delhi, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"Recognising the importance of water resource management in our bilateral relationship, we will continue to engage in prioritising the exchange of data and formulating the framework for interim water sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission," according to the document.

It said the two countries welcomed the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to initiate discussions for renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996 and, as part of development cooperation.

The document said as part of sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will extend transit facilities for the movement of Bangladesh goods to Nepal and Bhutan through the railway network.

The two countries decided to commence goods-train service from Gede-Darshana through Chilahati-Haldibari up to Hasimara via Dalgaon railhead (as and when operationalised) at the India-Bhutan border.

As part of sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will extend transit facilities for the movement of Bangladesh goods to Nepal and Bhutan through the railway network. We are committed to the early operationalisation of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to promote sub-regional connectivity.

The two countries today signed a new MoU on railway connectivity as well as the decision to commence goods-train service from Gede-Darshana through Chilahati-Haldibari up to Hasimara via Dalgaon railhead (as and when operationalised) at India-Bhutan border.

Bangladesh and India resolved to continue to expand their power and energy collaboration and together develop intra-regional electricity trade, including competitively-priced power generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, through the Indian electricity grid.

To this end, the two countries decided to expedite the construction of a 765kV high-capacity interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar with Indian funding to act as the anchor for grid connectivity.

The document said that based on availability and to the best of its abilities, India will support Bangladesh with the supply of essential commodities.

To be continued....................​

 

[Saif]

Appreciating the significant role of the two countries in ensuring peace, stability and harmony in the region, Bangladesh and India decided to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a long-term perspective.

"In line with the plans for the modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, we will explore defence industrial cooperation for modernisation of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, to strengthen their capability for defence. We will continue to work closely with Bangladesh for our multifaceted military engagements of exercises, training and capability development," said the document.

In their wide-ranging discussions, Hasina and Modi "recognised that the India-Bangladesh partnership, which is founded on deep historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic linkages has strengthened in the last decade inspired by the spirit of their shared sacrifices of 1971 and guided by their new aspirations of the 21st century.

"This is reflective of an all-encompassing partnership that transcends a strategic partnership, built upon shared values and interests, equality, trust and understanding and rooted in mutual sensitivity to each other's aspirations and concerns," it said.

"To realize the immense potential of this extra-ordinary relationship and to turn it into a transformational partnership for mutual benefits and prosperity of their people and the entire region, the two leaders have jointly articulated their following Shared Vision for peace, prosperity and development of the two neighbours and the entire region, driven by connectivity, commerce and collaboration," according to the document.

It said the two countries shared the conviction that "our progress and prosperity are interlinked and reaffirm our mutual desire to guide India-Bangladesh ties to a new era of future-oriented partnership, for which we recognise each other as indispensable partners in realizing our 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 (Security and Growth) doctrine and the Indo-Pacific vision and an indispensable partner in the development of India's northeastern region, read the document.

"On the other hand, Bangladesh values its relationship with India as the closest and friendly neighbour. Bangladesh considers India as an important partner in the pursuit of its Neighborhood Foreign Policy for ensuring shared peace and prosperity," said the document.

The two countries vowed to "pursue a transformative partnership that advances the shared interests in promoting multi-faceted connectivity for both our countries as well as the entire region by transforming our geographical proximity into new economic opportunities."

To be continued................​

 

[Saif]

"This will include connectivity in its broadest form – physical connectivity covering multi-modal transport and cross-border trade and transit infrastructure for seamless cross-border movement of people, goods and services, as well as energy connectivity and digital connectivity," as per the document.

It said that "underlining the pivotal role played by emerging technologies to build inclusive, sustainable and digitally empowered societies and to bring larger benefits to people of both the countries, Bangladesh and India are forging a new paradigm for future-oriented partnership through a 'Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership' and 'Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future'."

"These will build a transformative collaboration between India and Bangladesh by leveraging green and digital technologies to foster economic growth, sustainable and climate-resilient development, environmental conservation, cross-border digital interchange and regional prosperity," said the document.

The two countries agreed to collaborate on frontier technologies, including civil nuclear, oceanography, and space technology. "To this end, we will partner in joint development of a small satellite for Bangladesh and its launch using an Indian launch vehicle," it said.

Resolving to work towards promoting the prosperity of the people of the two countries, Bangladesh and India agreed to strengthen trade and investment linkages with each other, including through early commencement of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), early operationalization of two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offered by Bangladesh to India in Mongla and Mirsharai, opening of new border-haats, trade facilitation to enhance bilateral trade, improving road, rail, air, and maritime connectivity and trade infrastructure.

"We will also encourage and support our private sector to seek new investment opportunities in each other's priority areas of economic development."

The two countries also decided to conclude a new Framework Agreement for Development Partnership, which will expand the reach of cross-border projects and programmes in line with the priorities of the people and the government of Bangladesh and the long-term vision of closer connectivity.

"We will work together to expand our capacity building programme for civil services, judicial officers, police and other specialized services of Bangladesh," it added.

Recognising the shared cultural and historical heritage and vibrant people-to-people ties, the two countries decided to nurture existing linkages by promoting exchanges of Muktijoddhas, scholars, academics, artistes, tourists, students and youth.

India will further raise the level of its support to Muktijoddhas and their families with new programmes for medical and educational support.

Recognising the contribution of Bangladesh-India partnership to peace, security and stability in the region, the two countries reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

Recognising the vulnerability of the region to adverse impacts of climate change, the two countries decided to jointly lead the "Disaster Risk Reduction and Management" pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and cooperate to mitigate disaster risks, build disaster-resilient infrastructure, and contribute to the sustenance of our shared maritime region.

The document said Bangladesh and India, with their wide-ranging bilateral cooperation, envision the relationship to become a major anchor for regional and sub-regional integration under BIMSTEC, SAARC and Indian Ocean Regional architectures.

"We will work together on global platforms to promote our common interests, especially the interests of Global South," it added.

The document said there was a need for Bangladesh and India to take their ties to a deeper and higher quality level based on mutual trust and benefit in the coming days.​

 

[Saif]

No deal yet, India for Teesta management

India on Saturday announced to send a technical team to Bangladesh to discuss ‘conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh’ as the bilateral talks between...

www.newagebd.net

No deal yet, India for Teesta management
Mustafizur Rahman 23 June, 2024, 00:20

India on Saturday announced to send a technical team to Bangladesh to discuss 'conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh' as the bilateral talks between prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi ended in New Delhi without any breakthrough in the long pending water sharing deal on the common river.

The two leaders, however, decided to start technical level discussions for renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty expiring in 2026.

Both sides also agreed to begin negotiations on a proposed 'Comprehensive economic partnership agreement' between the two neighbours.

'We have decided to start technical level discussions for renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. A technical team will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh,' said Narendra Modi in a press statement after the bilateral meeting at the Hyderabad House.

India has very recently expressed its willingness to support a mega development plan on the trans-boundary River Teesta inside Bangladesh, where China has already shown its interest and completed a survey for a $1 billion project.

The Bangladesh side once again pressed for bringing the incidents of killing Bangladeshi civilians by the Indian Border Security Force along the border to zero level, energy cooperation and smooth supply of essential commodities, while the Indian side expressed interest in using both Mongla and Chittagong ports and rail network for easing connectivity with its north-eastern states, according to officials concerned.

'We had comprehensive discussions on further strengthening our defence cooperation, from defence production to modernisation of armed forces. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation on counter-terrorism, countering radicalism and peaceful management of the border,' said Modi in the statement, an English translation of which was made available on the official site of the External Affairs Ministry of India.

In her statement, Sheikh Hasina said that Dhaka and New Delhi agreed about a shared vision for digital and green partnerships to ensure a sustainable future for both the nations, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported.

'Today, our two sides had very productive meetings where we discussed politics and security, trade and connectivity, the sharing of water from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation, among other issues of mutual interest,' BSS quoted her as saying after the one-to-one meeting and the bilateral talks.

Describing India as Bangladesh's major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner, she said, 'Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born during our War of Liberation in 1971.'

To be continued..................​

 

[Saif]

After the delegation-level talks, Dhaka and New Delhi signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding, including seven new and three renewed ones, in the presence of the two prime ministers.

Greeting Hasina as their first state guest, Modi, who took over as prime minister of India for the third consecutive term on June 9, said that they had met almost ten times in the past one year.

'In last one year, we have completed many important public welfare projects together. Between Akhaura-Agartala, the 6th India-Bangladesh cross-border rail link has been started. Cargo facility for India's north-eastern states has been started through Khulna-Mongla Port. Mongla Port has been connected by rail for the first time,' the Indian prime minister said.

He also mentioned that electricity export from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian grid had become the first example of sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector.

'Today we have prepared a futuristic vision for cooperation in new areas. 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. India- Bangladesh "Maitri Satellite" will give new heights to our partnership. We have kept in our focus- Connectivity, Commerce and Collaboration,' he said.

He also announced that India would launch the e-medical visa facility for people coming from Bangladesh to India for medical treatment.

'We have decided to open a new Assistant High Commission in Rangpur to facilitate the people of the North-Western region of Bangladesh,' Modi added.

Hasina paid her last bilateral visit to India in September 2022 and later attended the G20 Summit held under the Presidency of India in September 2023 in New Delhi as the leader of 'Guest Country'.

'Both countries endorsed the "vision statement" to guide us toward a peaceful and prosperous future. We agreed to have a shared vision for "digital partnership" and "green partnership for a sustainable future",' Hasina said.

Briefing reporters at a hotel in New Delhi, Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud said that the delegation-level talks featured issues of bilateral interests, including connectivity, joint management and water sharing of 54 common rivers, trade, security, border management, and introduction of quota for Bangladesh to import essential commodities from India.

'The issue of connectivity was elaborately discussed and India expressed interest so that India's eastern states can use Chattogram and Mongla ports,' he said.

To be continued.................​

 

[Saif]

Regarding border killings, Hasan said that the two countries politically agreed to bring down the border killings to zero, but such incidents keep occurring. 'So, the issue came up for discussion to end the border killings,' he added.

Of the seven new MoUs signed, one was on the field of blue economy and maritime cooperation in the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean region, BSS reported.

Another new MoU was signed between the Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India for joint oceanographic research in the Indian Ocean and capacity building.

An MoU on extending rail connectivity between the two countries, one on India- Bangladesh digital partnership another on green partnership for a sustainable future were also signed.

Another MoU between the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre under the Department of Space and Bangladesh's Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology was signed for collaboration on a joint small satellite project. An MoU between the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India and Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur, Bangladesh was also signed highlighting cooperation concerning military education in strategic and operational studies.

Three renewed MoUs concern cooperation in fisheries, disaster management and cooperation in the health and medicine.

Sheikh Hasina returned home later in the evening after concluding her two-day state visit at the invitation of Narendra Modi, her second visit within 15 days as she had attended administering of oath to the Indian PM on June 9.

New Delhi has long been foot-dragging on the Teesta water-sharing treaty with Dhaka, adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people in the Rangpur region.

After finalisation of the draft of the Teesta deal by the two sides, India backtracked on signing the treaty just hours before the arrival of then Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh in Dhaka on September 6, 2011, on the plea that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee objected to the agreement.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, like his predecessor, continued to promise to conclude the interim agreements on sharing the waters of seven trans-boundary rivers, the Teesta in particular, amid repeated requests from Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on almost every occasion they met.​

 

[Saif]

India has successfully dragged Bangladesh into its sphere of influence with the help of Sheikh Hasina. India has also outmaneuvered China to get the much talked about Teesta Management Project.

https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-a-transformative-vision-india-bangladesh-partnership-for-regional-peace-and-prosperity-3532122/

A Transformative Vision: India-Bangladesh Partnership for Regional Peace and Prosperity
Both nations acknowledge the interdependence of their progress and prosperity, committing to guide their bilateral ties towards realizing their respective national visions—India's "Viksit Bharat 2047" and Bangladesh's "Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041."
Written by Express Defence
June 22, 2024 20:23 IST

A significant component of this partnership is expanding power and energy cooperation, particularly in regional electricity trade. (Image: AP)

In a historic step towards a deeper and more comprehensive relationship, the leaders of India and Bangladesh have articulated a shared vision aimed at fostering peace, prosperity, and development for their people and the entire region. Recognizing the immense potential of their partnership, the leaders have laid out a roadmap driven by connectivity, commerce, and collaboration. This vision outlines several key areas of cooperation and strategic alignment, signaling a new era of future-oriented partnership.

Interlinked Progress and Mutual Development Goals

Both nations acknowledge the interdependence of their progress and prosperity, committing to guide their bilateral ties towards realizing their respective national visions—India's "Viksit Bharat 2047" and Bangladesh's "Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041." Bangladesh, situated at the crossroads of India's "Neighbourhood First" and "Act East" policies, SAGAR doctrine, and Indo-Pacific vision, is seen as a pivotal partner in the development of India's northeastern region. Conversely, India is viewed by Bangladesh as a crucial ally in its Neighborhood Foreign Policy, aimed at ensuring shared peace and prosperity.

Enhancing Connectivity and Economic Integration
The shared vision emphasizes transforming geographical proximity into economic opportunities through multi-faceted connectivity. This includes physical infrastructure like multi-modal transport and cross-border trade, energy connectivity, and digital networks. A notable initiative is India's extension of transit facilities for Bangladeshi goods to Nepal and Bhutan via rail. Additionally, the operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement and new MoUs on railway connectivity will enhance sub-regional integration, promising seamless movement of goods and services.

Power and Energy Collaboration

A significant component of this partnership is expanding power and energy cooperation, particularly in regional electricity trade. Both nations aim to expedite the construction of high-capacity interconnections, such as the 765 kV Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar line, to anchor grid connectivity. This collaboration will facilitate the trade of competitively priced power generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development.

Digital and Green Partnerships

Recognizing the transformative power of emerging technologies, India and Bangladesh are forging new paradigms through the "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership" and the "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future." These initiatives will leverage digital and green technologies to drive economic growth, environmental conservation, and regional prosperity. Joint ventures in frontier technologies, including civil nuclear, oceanography, and space technology, are also on the agenda, with plans to develop and launch a small satellite for Bangladesh using Indian capabilities.

To be continued.................​