Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi today. This significant bilateral meeting aimed to strengthen existing ties between the two neighboring countries and explore new avenues for cooperation, focusing on trade and connectivity.
🇮🇳🇧🇩| A relationship serving as a role model for neighbourhood partnership!
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 22, 2024
PM @narendramodi and PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh held talks to further deepen historic ties between the two countries.
The talks covered a range of areas of bilateral cooperation including… pic.twitter.com/O2gpB0qQnF
The day commenced with a ceremonial welcome for Prime Minister Hasina at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Prime Minister Modi personally greeted her. This visit is historic as Hasina is the first foreign leader to visit India after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed the government for the third consecutive time.
During their one-on-one meeting, the two leaders discussed enhancing bilateral relations, focusing on key issues such as trade, security, and regional stability. Both Prime Ministers expressed their commitment to fostering stronger ties and addressing common challenges.
Bangladesh Joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
In a significant move, Bangladesh formally announced its participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) during this visit.
The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) is a collaborative effort among countries in the Indo-Pacific region to promote maritime security, sustainable development, and cooperation. It aims to address common challenges related to the vast oceanic expanse stretching from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. It envisions a free, open, peaceful, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, fostering shared prosperity among nations.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to join this initiative reflects Bangladesh’s commitment to regional cooperation and stability.
The Significance of Bangladesh Joining IPOI
Strategic Importance: Bangladesh’s geographical location places it at the confluence of several key policies, including India’s Neighbourhood First policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR, and the broader Indo-Pacific vision. By joining the IPOI, Bangladesh aligns itself with regional priorities and demonstrates its commitment to peace and prosperity.
Shared Vision: The IPOI aims to enhance maritime security, promote sustainable development, and foster economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region. Bangladesh’s participation contributes to a collective effort toward achieving these goals.
Historic Context: This marks the first time Bangladesh has explicitly outlined its goals related to the Indo-Pacific region. The move resonates with the thinking championed by India, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Sheikh Hasina-Modi meeting: Areas of Cooperation Discussed
Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Hasina discussed various areas of cooperation:
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): India and Bangladesh agreed to start negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. This agreement aims to boost trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Green Partnership: The shared vision document finalized during the visit outlines a commitment to environmental cooperation. Both nations recognize the importance of sustainable practices and environmental protection.
Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy: The agreement on maritime cooperation holds significance, emphasizing joint efforts to ensure security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
Space technology: India and Bangladesh have agreed to work together on space technology. They signed a document to develop and launch a small satellite for Bangladesh using an Indian rocket. This shows a big step in space cooperation between the two countries.
Defence cooperation was also discussed. Both leaders agreed on the importance of working closely on defence matters. They plan to modernize Bangladesh’s armed forces and increase defence industry cooperation between the two nations.
Improving connectivity remains crucial for India and Bangladesh. A new passenger train service will start between Rajshahi and Kolkata. A trial run for a goods train from Gede Darshana in Bangladesh to Haldibari Chilahati at the border is planned for next month. Additionally, a new bus service will be launched between Kolkata and Chittagong.
India will help develop an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Sirajganj. They also agreed on a power trade where Nepal will send 40 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s power grid. Moreover, they will speed up the construction of a high-capacity power line between Bihar and Assam through Bangladesh, with India providing financial assistance.
Bangladesh’s Perspective
Prime Minister Hasina expressed her appreciation for India as a major neighbor and trusted friend. The historical ties between the two countries, forged during Bangladesh’s war of liberation in 1971, continue to shape their relationship.
In the afternoon, Prime Minister Hasina is scheduled to call on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar at his Secretariat. Later in the evening, she will meet with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan before returning to Dhaka.
The Significance of This Visit
This meeting holds immense significance for both nations, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional peace, economic growth, and people-to-people exchanges. The agreements signed during this visit are expected to pave the way for deeper cooperation and mutual benefit.
As the sun sets over the Indian capital, the world watches closely, recognizing the importance of this diplomatic engagement between Bangladesh and India. The meeting between Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi serves as a testament to the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two South Asian neighbors.
Conclusion
The visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India marks a pivotal moment in the bilateral relations between the two countries. The discussions and agreements reached during this visit highlight the mutual commitment to fostering stronger ties and addressing common challenges. By joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, Bangladesh has taken a significant step towards regional cooperation and stability. The focus on trade, environmental cooperation, maritime security, and defense ties underscores the comprehensive nature of the partnership between Bangladesh and India.
This visit not only strengthens the bond between the two nations but also sets the stage for future collaborations that will benefit the entire region. The world will be watching as Bangladesh and India work together to achieve their shared vision of peace, prosperity, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
