New Delhi: India and Bangladesh on Saturday inked nearly two dozen pacts in strategic areas of defence and civil nuclear cooperation after “productive” talks between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina.
In a joint address to the media with visiting Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, PM Modi committed USD 500 million credit for the country’s defence.
“India has always stood for the prosperity of Bangladesh and its people. We are a long-standing and trusted development partner for Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh are also determined that the fruits of our cooperation must reach our people,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi held extensive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Both the leaders jointly launched new rail and bus services between India and Bangladesh and restored an old rail link between the two South Asian neighbours following bilateral talks here.
The two Prime Ministers launched the Maitree Express train that will run between Kolkata and Khulna in Bangladesh and bus services between Kolkata and Dhaka via Khulna.
The two leaders also restored a once defunct rail link between Radhikapur in north Bengal and Biral in Bangladesh and flagged off a cargo consignment of high speed diesel from Numaligarh Refinery in Assam.
However, much-delayed pact on the Teesta water sharing remained elusive for the two sides. Admitting that the pact was “important” for India-Bangladesh ties, Modi assured India’s commitment to the issue.
He said an “early solution can and will be found” to the Teesta water sharing issue.
Bureau Report
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