Modi reassures Hamid: LBA, Teesta issues to be resolved

President Abdul Hamid and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shaking hands after talking outstanding issues of both the countries at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Friday. PID photo
President Abdul Hamid and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shaking hands after talking outstanding issues of both the countries at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Friday. PID photo
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UNB, New Delhi :Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed that his government has been working to resolve thelong-pending Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and Teesta water sharing deal with Bangladesh.His reissuance came at a meeting with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid at Hyderbad House.During the 30-minute meeting, President Hamid hoped that the two crucial issues will be resolved under Modi’s leadership, President’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB after the meeting.Praising India’s cooperation in Bangladesh’s power sector, Hamid said, “We need more support in this sector.”He also sought India’s cooperation in importing hydroelectricity from Nepal and Bhutan by Bangladesh, and underscored the need for improving connectivity for development of the region, while Modi emphasised infrastructural development in this regard.The President lauded Modi’s leadership and his Gujrat model saying the young generation is being attracted by leadership. The Bangladesh President reminded the Indian Prime Minister about the invitation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and told him to make a visit soon.An impressed Modi in reply said, “I’ll try to visit Bangladesh soon.”The Indian Prime Minister apprised President Hamid that he held two fruitful meetings with Sheikh Hasina-one on the sidelines of the recent Saarc summit in Nepal and another on the UNGA sidelines.Modi also termed the month of December as very significant saying that he is happy to meet two great freedom fighters-General Jacob and President Abdul Hamid-in this month. Hamid recalled with gratitude the cooperation of the Indian government and its people during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali, Razwan Ahmed Towfiq, MP and senior secretary to the President Shaikh Altaf Ali were present at the meeting from the Bangladesh side while External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran were present from the Indian side.

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