Sagar Biswas :Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that her meeting with Indian Premier Narendra Damodardas Modi was ‘fruitful’.Sheikh Hasina made the comment at a joint press conference on Saturday after holding bilateral talks with Modi at Shimul Auditorium of the Prime Minister’s Office in the afternoon. In a joint statement, both the premiers have put emphasis on wider connectivity across the South Asian region. Sheikh Hasina said, “The Indian Premier and I both have agreed that connectivity is not only important for our two countries, but also it is important for the entire region. The agreement on shipping, renewal of trade deal, signing of internal riverine transport protocol and inauguration of new bus routes are the symbols of our commitment to make connectivity in the region.” “Besides, the most humanitarian crisis is solved through exchange of Land Boundary Agreement [LBA] documents to implement the transfer of enclaves after long 68 years…. We are happy,” she said.Explaining the outcome of Indian Premier’s visit, Sheikh Hasina further said that the two countries have unveiled curtains of seven joint venture projects and also signed 22 agreements and memorandum of understanding [MoU]. “We have talked openly on different issues. India will extend its cooperation to Bangladesh through investment. India is proceeding fast in the economic field. Bangladesh is also proceeding forward. India is an important neighbour of us,” the Bangladesh Premier also said expressing optimism.On the other hand, addressing the press conference with Sheikh Hasina, the Indiam PM Modi said “The visit is a historic moment. We have resolved a question that has lingered since Independence. Our two nations have a settled boundary now.”Pointing Bangladesh PM, Modi again said, “People in India admire your nation’s progress despite challenges. We want you to succeed in your Mission 2021 and 2041. We stand at a moment of huge opportunity in our relationship.”Expressing hope over connectivity, he said, “We will deepen regional connectivity and cooperation between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. There is a natural logic to this arrangement. Connectivity between the two countries will grow through road, rail and sea routes.”Terming the visit “a wonderful feeling” Modi also expressed optimism over Teesta deal. He said,” I am confident that with support of State governments in India, we can reach a fair solution on Teesta and Feni rivers.”Three agreements on human trafficking, fake Indian currency and maritime safety show our security cooperation is growing. Besides, power supply between India and Bangladesh will grow from 500 MW to 1100 MW in next two years,” Modi said.”Will try to make trade between the two countries easier and smoother,” Modi said, and added, “India and Bangladesh are bound by ties of cricket and culture.”Earlier, the two leaders met at about 4:00pm after the exchange of instruments of ratification of the LBA. The meeting continued till 5:45 pm. India announced a “US$2 billion line of credit” to Bangladesh in an effort to deepen bilateral ties.Ahead of the meeting with Sheikh Hasina, Narendra Modi held a discussion with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Hotel Sonargaon. It was not clear whether they discussed any special agenda like the Teesta water sharing treaty. Both countries, however, have already announced that an agreement on sharing Teesta water cannot be achieved during this visit. Later, Modi and Mamata went to PMO where Hasina welcomed them.Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar signed the protocol yesterday to exchange the LBA ratifications before the two premiers Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi. They also exchanged the modalities of implementing the deal after the signing. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also witnessed the signing. Marking the event, Indian Prime Minister’s Office tweeted on the exchange of instruments of the LBA ratification, saying “history is made”.In fact, this will start the process of implementing the 41-year old deal, ending stateless lives of more than 50,000 people in 161 enclaves on both sides of the border.After passing around three hours in PM’s office, Modi returned to Hotel Sonargaon at about 7:00pm. He joined a state dinner hosted by the PM Sheikh Hasina at 8:00pm and enjoyed a cultural function that continued till 10:00pm.Modi arrived in Dhaka on a two-day state visit boarding a special plane ‘Rajdut’ at about 10:10am yesterday. National flags of two countries were hoisted on both sides of the aircraft. He was given a red carpet welcome and a guard of honour at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on his maiden visit to Bangladesh. As a part of special gesture, the Indian PM Modi was received at the airport by his counterpart Sheikh Hasina and a number of her cabinet colleagues, including Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Agriculture Minister Motia Choudhury.To welcome Modi, the capital city Dhaka has been decked up with big hoardings carrying photographs of Indian Premier besides life-size cutouts of him, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Sheikh Hasina. “Leaving for Bangladesh. This visit is going to strengthen the bond between our Nations, benefitting people of our countries and our region,” PM Modi had tweeted ahead of his departure from New Delhi.Paying homage to Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the visiting Indian Premier termed him as an “icon of democracy” and “a great friend of India”. He also termed Bangabandhu as a “towering personality. Modi made the remark in a tweet he posted while paying homage to Sheikh Mujib at Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi in the noon. Radwan Mujib Siddique, grandson of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman welcomed the visiting Indian Prime Minister. There, he placed wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.At first he visited the National Memorial at Savar earlier in the day to pay homage to martyrs of 1971 Liberation War. He planted a tree at the memorial premises after paying tributes and signed in visitors’ book.Mamata Banerjee arrived in Dhaka on Friday night a day ahead of Modi. She was staying at a separate hotel, at Dhaka’s Radisson Blu, amid speculations of their internal disagreements on different issues. PM Modi will address the Indian community in Bangladesh today [Sunday]. He will also meet BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and some other political leaders.
