India and Bangladesh, on Saturday, firmed up a futuristic vision to expand cooperation in several new areas and inked a raft of agreements, including to boost ties in the maritime sphere and blue economy. The pacts were finalised at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his visiting Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.
Modi said India and Bangladesh will begin technical-level talks for the renewal of the 1996 Ganga water treaty. He added an Indian technical team will visit Bangladesh soon for the conservation and management of the Teesta River.
Addressing a joint presser after bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, Modi said connectivity, commerce and collaboration were key focus areas of their talks. Modi added they will focus more on digital and energy connectivity.
“Both sides are ready to initiate talks on CEPA to take our economic ties to new heights. We have decided to initiate technical-level talks on the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty. For the conservation and management of Teesta River in Bangladesh, a technical team will visit Bangladesh soon,” he added.
“We have decided to strengthen our cooperation over counter-terrorism, fundamentalism and peaceful management of the border. We welcome Bangladesh’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative,” he said.
Modi said an e-visa facility will be launched for Bangladeshis visiting the country for medical treatment. India will also be opening an assistant high commission in Rangpur for the convenience of the people of the North West region of Bangladesh, he said.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said, “This is my first bilateral visit to any country after Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary elections and the formation of our new government in January 2024. India is our major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born during our war of liberation in 1971.”
