India, Bangladesh reiterate commitment to eliminate terrorism
NEW DELHI: India and Bangladesh on Thursday reiterated their strong
commitment to eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina
on Thursday held a virtual summit, during which they jointly
inaugurated Chilahati-Haldibari rail route, linking the two neighbouring
countries.
According to a joint statement, both sides held comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
"Recognizing
that terrorism remains a threat to global peace and security, both
sides reiterated their strong commitment to eliminating terrorism in all
its forms and manifestations," read the statement.
PM Modi and
Hasina expressed satisfaction over the current state of the bilateral
relations based on "shared bonds of history, culture, language, and
other unique commonalities that characterise the partnership".
"They
emphasised that relations between Bangladesh and India are based on
fraternal ties and reflective of an all-encompassing partnership based
on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that transcend a
strategic partnership," the statement read.
They paid tribute to the
martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh, the Muktijoddhas and the
Indian soldiers, for their sacrifices in 1971. "They vowed to uphold and
protect the cherished values of democracy and equality in line with the
aspirations of the people of the two friendly countries," it added.
The two sides signed seven Memoranda of Understanding, including on hydrocarbon sector.
According
to the joint statement, the two leaders welcomed the signing of the
Framework of Understanding on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector,
which would further augment energy linkages by streamlining investments,
technology transfer, joint studies, training and promoting hydrocarbon
connectivity.
"Both sides expressed satisfaction at the robust
cooperation in the power and energy sector, including with the private
sector. It was agreed to expedite implementation of projects, including
India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, Maitree Super Thermal Power
Project as well as other projects," the statement read.
During the
summit, New Delhi and Dhaka agreed to strengthen sub-regional
cooperation, including with Nepal and Bhutan on energy.
"It was also
agreed to enhance cooperation in energy efficiency and clean energy,
including in biofuels. In line with the commitment of both the countries
to move towards green, clean, renewable sources of energy, it was
agreed to strengthen sub-regional cooperation, including with Nepal and
Bhutan. Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of
power and energy connectivity," it added.
Prime Minister Hasina
highlighted the need for early signing of an interim agreement for
sharing the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in
2011.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's sincere commitment and continued efforts in that regard.
The
two leaders also underscored the need for an early conclusion of
Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing waters of six joint rivers,
namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.
During
the summit, both the leaders agreed to facilitate completion of border
fencing at all pending sectors between both the countries at the
earliest beginning with Tripura (India)-Bangladesh sector.
Both
leaders also agreed that the loss of civilian lives at the border is a
matter of concern and directed the border forces concerned to enhance
coordinated measures to work towards bringing such border incidents to
zero.
"The leaders stressed on full implementation of the ongoing
Coordinated Border Management Plan. Both sides noted with satisfaction
the recent stepped-up efforts of the two border guarding forces against
smuggling of arms, narcotics and fake currency and to prevent
trafficking, particularly of women and children," it added.
PM Modi
and Hasina agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Boundary
Conference to prepare a new set of strip maps, along the stretch of
Icchamati, Kalindi, Raimongol and the Hariabhanga rivers from Main
Pillar 1 to Land Boundary terminus, with a view to finalising the
delineation of the boundaries as fixed. It was agreed to carry out
necessary work to convert the International Boundary along Kuhsiyara
river into a fixed boundary.
Prime Minister Hasina deeply
appreciated the "warm gesture" of India in organising various events on
the occasion of ongoing "Mujib Borsho (centennial birth anniversary of
Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman)".
The
two Prime Ministers jointly unveiled a commemorative postal stamp
issued by the Government of India on the birth centenary of Bangabandhu
Rahman.
In turn, Prime Minister Modi thanked Bangladesh government
for issuing a stamp in honour of Mahatma Gandhi earlier in September
2020, to mark Gandhiji's 150th birth anniversary.
Noting that 2021
will be historic in India-Bangladesh bilateral relations as the
countries would be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation
War and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the
neighbours, it was agreed to jointly organise several activities to
commemorate the epochal events in India, Bangladesh and third countries.
Prime Minister Hasina requested the Indian side to consider Bangladesh's proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar
to Nadia on Bangladesh-India border as "Shadhinota Shorok"
commemorating the historic significance of the road during the
Bangladesh Liberation War.
Both sides reiterated to continue regular
exchanges of groups to promote culture, education, science and
technology, youth and sports and mass media.
Recognising the immense
potential of bilateral economic and commercial ties, both the Prime
Ministers directed the officials to expeditiously conclude the ongoing
joint study on the prospects of entering into a bilateral Comprehensive
Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), according to the statement.
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