Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bangladesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Dhaka later this month is sure to be “very memorable,” Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday, describing India’s strategic ties with Bangladesh as a true “360-degree partnership. Degrees “.
Jaishankar arrived here in the morning on a one-day visit to pave the way for Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bangladesh later this month to take part in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and 50 years of diplomatic relations. between Bangladesh and India.
After extensive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart AK Abdul Momen, Jaishankar said that Bangladesh was central to India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and increasingly relevant to the country’s “Act East Policy”.
“We are working to prepare for the planned visit of our Prime Minister. It will surely be a very memorable visit: if I remember correctly, it would be his first visit outside of India since the coronavirus pandemic and his second as prime minister in Bangladesh, “he told reporters at a joint press conference together with Momen.
“Many of you will remember his last visit (from Modi) (here), that was something very transformative in our relationship,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi is likely to pay a two-day visit to Dhaka from March 26 to Bangladesh to participate in a series of events.
Jaishankar acknowledged that it was a “very special year” for the people of Bangladesh as both countries celebrated Mujib Barsho, 50 years of the Liberation of Bangladesh and 50 years of the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship.
“May all your dreams come true and I can assure you that India will always be there by your side, as a reliable friend,” he said.
“Our relationship is so broad and our comfort level so high that no domain is left intact today. It’s a true 360-degree partnership, ”he tweeted.
“Our relationships actually transcend even our strategic partnership, and I believe that our bond is critical to realizing the dream of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive South Asia,” he said.
It is in pursuit of this vision that both sides have made remarkable progress in the relationship, especially since Prime Minister Modi took office in May 2014, Jaishankar said.
The importance of India’s ties to Bangladesh lies in their centrality, to India’s “Neighborhood First” policy and the growing relevance of Dhaka to India’s Act East policy, he said.
“We see Bangladesh as a key neighbor and a valuable partner not only in South Asia but also in the Indo-Pacific region in general. Every result and achievement of our relationship resonates in this region. It is no secret that we cite it to others as an example of emulation, “he said.
During his meeting with Momen, Jaishankar held extensive discussions on ways to advance bilateral ties.
“We are working hard to expand our relationship to entire dimensions, ranging from security, commerce, transportation and connectivity, culture, people to ties between people, ensuring the development of our shared resources,” said Jaishankar, who is expected to call Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. he told reporters.
“Our comfort levels are now so high that we have shown that there is no problem that we cannot discuss and resolve through friendly dialogue,” he said.
Momen said the two countries have pledged to continue working together to take “our bilateral relations to new heights under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Hasina.”
Jaishankar said his visit is also a statement of solidarity in “our shared fight” against the COVID pandemic.
In January, India sent more than 20 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as a gift to Bangladesh.
“The pandemic has provided an opportunity to reaffirm our friendship. Bangladesh is the largest recipient of Made in India vaccines. Also among the friendship our biggest gift of vaccines of 2 million, which is really appropriate that it is for Bangladesh, “he said.
Speaking about the long-pending agreement on the Teesta waters exchange, Jaishankar said: “We discussed it and you know we would have a meeting with our water resources secretaries very soon.
He said that India had already agreed in principle to sign the agreement, but its internal problems prevented New Delhi from signing it yet.
“We discussed it and you know that very soon we would have a meeting with our secretaries of water resources. I’m sure they will continue to discuss it. You know the position of the Government of India, that has not changed, ”he said.
Momen said her meeting with Jaishankar focused on possible ways to materialize “our commitments and how to prioritize and accommodate the priorities of others in a mutually beneficial way.
Responding to a question about the killings of Bangladeshis allegedly committed by the Border Security Force along the border, a major irritant in bilateral relations, Jaishankar said: “We have talked about it. Many of the deaths occur within India. Every death is regrettable. ”
The deaths occurred due to crimes along the border, he said, expressing optimism that he could be stopped by the joint efforts of both countries.
“But the problem is due to crime. Therefore, our shared goal should be that ‘there will be no crime, there will be no death’ at the border. I am sure that if we can do it well, without crime, without death, together we can tackle the problem effectively, “he added.
She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.