India, Bangladesh assessment bilateral ties, discuss PM's March visit to Dhaka

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Foreign Secretaries of India and Bangladesh on Friday carried out a comprehensive review of the entire bilateral ties and placed discussions in preparations for Primary Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka on March.

The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) said both sides reviewed progress in the bilateral relationship, including in the regions of defence and security, border management, trade, connectivity, power, energy and cooperation in working with the coronavirus pandemic.

Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit, generally to prepare surface for Modi's upcoming check out to Dhaka.

In the talks held beneath the framework of India-Bangladesh foreign office consultations, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Momen agreed to keep up with the steady momentum of bilateral cooperation and people-to-people ties.

"Both sides held a comprehensive review of the improvement achieved in the bilateral relationship, including in the regions of COVID-19 cooperation, trade, connectivity, development partnership, power, strength and water means, regional and multilateral cooperation together with border management and protection and defence cooperation," the MEA explained in a statement.

At a virtual summit along with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina previous month, Modi described the neighbouring region as a "key pillar" of India's 'Neighbourhood Initially' policy.

It said discussion likewise focussed on preparations for the forthcoming check out of Modi to Dhaka and happenings associated with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between your two countries.

"Both sides also agreed to hold the next residence secretary level talks, commerce secretary level talks and the secretary level meeting of joint rivers commission prior to the March summit," the MEA stated.

It said both sides noted with appreciation the close cooperation over the coronavirus-related issues, including India's gift of two million doses of Covishield vaccine to Bangladesh commensurate with its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.

"It was also decided to maintain the constant momentum of bilateral cooperation and people-to-persons ties. In this respect, both sides observed with pleasure the renewal of the flights bubble arrangement which will facilitate essential travel between the two sides," it added.

In the meeting, the two countries underscored the value of the entire year 2021 in the context of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh, the 50th year of bilateral diplomatic ties plus the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Around 93,000 Pakistani troops had surrendered prior to the joint forces of the Indian Army and the "Mukti Bahini" in December 16, 1971 that led to the birth of Bangladesh.

The MEA said both sides made a decision to further strengthen the ongoing coordination to jointly commemorate these anniversaries.

In this context, equally sides expressed appreciation for the participation of the Bangladesh tri-offerings contingent at the Republic Day Parade here.

"Both sides noted the importance of this event in reminding present generations in both countries about the struggle and sacrifices of Indian and Bangladesh forces and peoples through the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War," the MEA said.

The Bangladesh foreign secretary was accompanied by Bangladesh Excessive Commissioner Mohammad Imran, Secretary (East) Mashfee Shams and representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, commerce and water sources of Bangladesh.

The Indian delegation contains representatives from the ministries of external affairs, residence affairs, commerce and industry, Jal Shakti and finance.
Source: https://www.business-standard.com

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