Prime Minister Hasina’s visit to India- some jointly agreed decisions to enhance ties, boost cooperation and strengthen friendship

On the last leg of her state visit to India, Prime Minister Sheikh arrived in Jaipur on Thursday to offer prayers at Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah Sharif at Ajmer. The second visit of Sheikh Hasina to India in less than 3 years has been remarkable for the range of issues the two traditional friends discussed, the new areas they agreed to extend their cooperation into and the decisions taken to deepen and expand the existing ties between the two countries. 

Connectivity was a key area of discussion between the two countries. Both countries decided to expand cooperation in the field of connectivity including railways, waterways, energy connectivity among others. India and Bangladesh appreciated the ongoing intra-Bangladesh rail connectivity linked projects like the dual-gauge conversion of Tongi-Akhaura Line, supply of rolling stock to Bangladesh railway, capacity building of railway personnel at Indian training institutes and sharing of IT solutions for improved services of Bangladesh railways.

India and Bangladesh also decided to take up new initiatives to further enhance rail connectivity between the two countries. In an important development, both the countries agreed to explore funding of these projects through multiple financial instruments under bilateral development cooperation.

These include   Kaunia-Lalmonirhat-Mogalghat-New-Gitaldaha link, establishing a link between Hili and Birampur,  upgradation of track and signalling systems and railway stations along the Benapole-Jessore line, link restoration between Burimari and Changrabandha and  construction of a container depot at Sirajganj among others.

To boost the sub-regional connectivity, both leaders agreed to expedite efforts to operationalize   Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement. Once agreed, seamless movement of vehicles, personal and commercial, will be possible across borders of the four countries. To enhance sub-regional connectivity, India proposed preparation of a  Detailed Project Report on a new highway connecting Hili (West Bengal) via Bangladesh to Mahendraganj (Meghalaya). In this context, Bangladesh also proposed its participation in the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway.

India invited Bangladesh’s business community to utilise the free transit offered by India through specified Land Customs Stations. Airports and Seaports on its territory, This is over and above the free transit already in place for Bangladeshi businesses exporting to Nepal and Bhutan.

In the field of energy cooperation, several important decisions and initiatives were taken during the visit of Prime Minister Hasina. To   help address Bangladesh’s energy needs, both sides hoped for the early completion of the transboundary India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline that will carry High Speed Diesel from India directly to Bangladesh. India agreed to facilitate preliminary discussions between authorised agencies of both countries to meet the growing requirements of petroleum products for Bangladesh’s economy. 

Among the decisions taken to enhance trade between the two countries, India and Bangladesh directed trade officials to start negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) within 2022 and complete the same before 2026, when Bangladesh graduates from its LDC status and to retain the Duty Free Quota Free benefits it currently enjoys.

Bangladesh welcomed India’s proposal to fund and build a second freight gate at the country’s busiest landport, the Benapole-Petrapole Integrated Check Post (ICP) to facilitate movement of goods between the two countries. India again emphasised the importance of removal of  port restrictions imposed by Bangladesh on Indian goods. India requested Bangladesh to operationalise the Maitri Bridge by expediting the completion of remaining infrastructure, immigration and customs facilities at Ramgarh.
Furthering defence cooperation, both countries agreed for the early finalisation of projects under the USD 500 million Defence Line of Credit (LOC) including the procurement plans of vehicles for Bangladesh Army. Early operationalization of the 2019 MoU on Coastal Radar System for enhanced maritime security was also agreed upon.

Expanding India-Bangladesh ties into newer areas, both countries agreed to augment  cooperation in peaceful use of outer space, green energy, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and technology enabled services in finance, health and education. They also agreed upon the joint conservation of Sunderbans.

Apart from these, several decisions were taken in  the field of river water cooperation, power cooperation, border security and management, joint fight against terrorism, ways to ensure predictable supply of essentail food commodities to Bangladesh and cultural cooperation among others. These decisions and initiatives made this visit a historic event which will add further strength to the ‘golden era’ or ‘Shonali Adhyay’ of India Bangladesh relations.