UNB, New Delhi :
Bangladesh and India on Saturday signed seven bilateral documents, aiming to take the relations between the two countries to the next trajectory.
The documents were signed, exchanged, adopted and handed over after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House here.
The two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of the documents – six new and another renewal.
The bilateral documents are: MoU for providing a Costal Surveillance System, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for the movement of goods to and from India, MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from the Feni River by India for drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town, Tripura, agreement over implementation of the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh, MoU between the University of Hyderabad and the University of Dhaka, renewal of a cultural exchange programme and MoU on cooperation in Youth Affairs.
The two Prime Ministers also jointly inaugurated three bilateral development partnership projects pressing e-plaques-import of bulk LPG from Bangladesh, Vivekananda Bhaban (student hotel) at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka and Bangladesh-India Professional Skill Development Institute at IDEB in Dhaka.
Earlier, a tete-a-tete was held between the two leaders just before the meeting.
The two leaders met for the second time in 10 days exemplifying the strength of Bangladesh-India ties, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs adding that the relationship is setting the “template” for bilateral cooperation.
The bilateral meeting was followed by lunch at the Hyderabad House.
Earlier in the morning, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had a “warm conversation” with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reaffirmed India’s “highest priority” to her relations with Bangladesh.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das were present.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached New Delhi on Thursday morning and joined the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit.
Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, India on Thursday described its relations with Bangladesh as a “relationship of utmost priority”.
“A relationship of utmost priority,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted sharing the photos of Prime Minister Hasina’s arrival in New Delhi as part of her official visit.
The MEA also said Bangladesh and India share “multifaceted relations” which go far beyond the strategic partnership.
She is scheduled to return home on today.
