New Delhi, India
A popular but accurate maxim applies to foreign affairs: you can choose your friends, but not your neighbours. A nation must live permanently with its neighbours, the only question being whether they will be friends, foes, or something in between. India's destiny in South Asia is to live with a constant fluctuation in relations with most of its neighbours. The implementation of its wise ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy depends on both India and its eight immediate neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. 
December witnessed two important visits: the incoming visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) from 15 to 17 December and the outgoing visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on December 9. Both served as useful yardsticks to measure where India’s relations with these two nations stood at present. 
<h2 paraeid="{423d6d8d-dff8-4447-80cc-82e851c99bd4}{251}" paraid="9">Visit of SL President </h2>
The Sri Lankan President chose India for his first visit abroad as a clear signal that he considered this relationship to be of the highest importance. Still, it should not be interpreted as his choosing India over China. It only indicated that, while he would exercise his freedom to shape Sri Lanka-China ties the way his government considers fit, the ties with India will figure high on his agenda. 
The backdrop of the visit lent special significance to it. AKD has come a long way from his leftist past and activism in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has now metamorphosed itself into a political coalition named the National People’s Power (NPP). His recent victories in the presidential and parliamentary elections and embracing pragmatism over ideology indicate the likelihood of a friendly equation with New Delhi. His emergence as the new political star has led to the complete marginalization of the UNP and SLFP, the two mainstream parties that dominated politics for decades. 
The speed with which AKD’s state visit was arranged and its positive outcome are noteworthy. India’s generous assistance and unwavering support to Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022 won the deep appreciation of the visiting leader. The joint statement depicts the India-Sri Lanka partnership as “underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and the people-to-people relations.” Political and security cooperation, as well as issues concerning economy, trade, economy, energy, and cultural relations, were tackled in a constructive manner. 
The two governments decided that the shared challenges facing them in the Indian Ocean region would be handled through the Colombo Security Dialogue and bilaterally. AKD  reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security. Whether this means the end or reduction in visits by Chinese surveillance vessels to Sri Lankan ports will need to be watched as the year-long moratorium is about to end. However, the stress on forging greater cooperation through regional institutions such as the IORA and BIMSTEC was welcome. A noticeable trade-off was revealed: India extended support to Sri Lanka‘s application to become a member of BRICS even as Sri Lanka supported India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for 2028–29. 
On legacy issues, little progress could be achieved. The Indian side publicly reiterated its hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority, but it omitted a reference to the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Sri Lankan reaction to the revised formulation is not known. On the contentious issue of fisheries,  what the two leaders did was kick the ball back to officials who were instructed to continue their “engagement.” However, on other aspects of bilateral cooperation, the two governments announced a solid programme of action. The promise of “a futuristic vision”, complete with investment-led growth and physical, digital, and energy connectivity, is enticing. Clearly, India-Sri Lanka relations are in a good place today. 
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/be-mindful-of-your-comments-india-slams-bangladesh-over-yunus-aides-social-media-post-785675">Be mindful of your comments: India slams Bangladesh over Yunus aide's social media post</a>
<h2 paraeid="{f0e97c91-a539-4012-95e2-4f589217cb17}{39}" paraid="23">FS in Dhaka </h2>
The visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Dhaka took place in the background of continuing deterioration in India-Bangladesh relations since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arrival in India to seek shelter on  5 August. The students’ agitation against her government in previous months assumed serious proportions. As it evolved, Islamists and other political forces opposed to the ruling Awami League government, and some foreign interests succeeded in engineering a regime change. The Interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser, began work on a hostile note, demanding Hasina’s repatriation and declaring that its installation represented “the second liberation” of Bangladesh. 
Between August and December 2024, diplomatic contacts were maintained to ensure the continuation of regular exchanges between the two governments, including through a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his counterpart in September in New York. During his day-long visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held discussions with his counterpart, the Foreign Affairs Adviser, and the Chief Adviser to review the entire gamut of issues to restore normalcy in this relationship. The dialogue agenda in Dhaka included items stretching from political and security matters to commerce, connectivity, and cooperation in water, power, and energy sectors, as well as development cooperation, consular, cultural, and people-to-people ties. 
Each side has had concerns and grievances against the other. For India, attacks on the minorities, including the Hindus, represented a significant issue. Attacks on its cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties caused much concern, too. The eruption of vitriolic rhetoric in the Bangladesh media was also noted, damaging the positive image India enjoyed due to its massive cooperation with Bangladesh and its vital role in the nation’s liberation. The Bangladesh side has also been exercised over several matters beyond seeking Hasina’s speedy return from India. The Misri visit was thus an occasion for a candid and constructive exchange of views. He emphasized the people-centric and people-oriented dimensions of this relationship between the two countries, which required careful nurturing.  The visit has restored some normalcy to this relationship. 
Civil society in India has been deeply concerned over recent developments in Bangladesh. In an open letter to the people of Bangladesh, many eminent Indian citizens urged individuals and institutions in Bangladesh to work towards restoring democracy and secularism, including the rights of Hindus and other religious minorities. They also called for “early free, fair and inclusive elections.” Meanwhile, Dhaka announced that major reforms must precede elections, which were likely to take place between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. 
<h2 paraeid="{25f9177a-3fd1-440b-b5ca-6e5d00010ec0}{226}" paraid="35">Prospects </h2>
Political changes in a country inevitably affect its foreign policy. Changes in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during 2024 were bound to impact their approach towards India. Under the new president, Sri Lanka has demonstrated its inclination to accord due importance to its relations with India. How it manages its equations with Asia’s two major powers, India and China, will be monitored closely. 
On the other hand, the change in Dhaka was a significant setback to India and India-Bangladesh relations. New Delhi took the welcome initiative to arrange the FS-level dialogue. Given its multiple vulnerabilities, the new dispensation in Dhaka must shoulder its responsibility to stabilize and improve its relationship with India in mutual interest. Whether this is achieved and the challenges on the way could be a burning question in the opening months of 2025. 
Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

India's destiny in South Asia is to live with a constant fluctuation in relations with most of its neighbours. The implementation of its wise ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy depends on both India and its eight immediate neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar



New Delhi, India A popular but accurate maxim applies to foreign affairs: you can choose your friends, but not your neighbours. A nation must live permanently with its neighbours, the only question being whether they will be friends, foes, or something in between. India's destiny in South Asia is to live with a constant fluctuation in relations with most of its neighbours. The implementation of its wise ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy depends on both India and its eight immediate neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. December witnessed two important visits: the incoming visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) from 15 to 17 December and the outgoing visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on December 9. Both served as useful yardsticks to measure where India’s relations with these two nations stood at present. Visit of SL President The Sri Lankan President chose India for his first visit abroad as a clear signal that he considered this relationship to be of the highest importance. Still, it should not be interpreted as his choosing India over China. It only indicated that, while he would exercise his freedom to shape Sri Lanka-China ties the way his government considers fit, the ties with India will figure high on his agenda. The backdrop of the visit lent special significance to it. AKD has come a long way from his leftist past and activism in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has now metamorphosed itself into a political coalition named the National People’s Power (NPP). His recent victories in the presidential and parliamentary elections and embracing pragmatism over ideology indicate the likelihood of a friendly equation with New Delhi. His emergence as the new political star has led to the complete marginalization of the UNP and SLFP, the two mainstream parties that dominated politics for decades. The speed with which AKD’s state visit was arranged and its positive outcome are noteworthy. India’s generous assistance and unwavering support to Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022 won the deep appreciation of the visiting leader. The joint statement depicts the India-Sri Lanka partnership as “underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and the people-to-people relations.” Political and security cooperation, as well as issues concerning economy, trade, economy, energy, and cultural relations, were tackled in a constructive manner. The two governments decided that the shared challenges facing them in the Indian Ocean region would be handled through the Colombo Security Dialogue and bilaterally. AKD reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security. Whether this means the end or reduction in visits by Chinese surveillance vessels to Sri Lankan ports will need to be watched as the year-long moratorium is about to end. However, the stress on forging greater cooperation through regional institutions such as the IORA and BIMSTEC was welcome. A noticeable trade-off was revealed: India extended support to Sri Lanka‘s application to become a member of BRICS even as Sri Lanka supported India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for 2028–29. On legacy issues, little progress could be achieved. The Indian side publicly reiterated its hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority, but it omitted a reference to the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Sri Lankan reaction to the revised formulation is not known. On the contentious issue of fisheries, what the two leaders did was kick the ball back to officials who were instructed to continue their “engagement.” However, on other aspects of bilateral cooperation, the two governments announced a solid programme of action. The promise of “a futuristic vision”, complete with investment-led growth and physical, digital, and energy connectivity, is enticing. Clearly, India-Sri Lanka relations are in a good place today. Also read: Be mindful of your comments: India slams Bangladesh over Yunus aide's social media post FS in Dhaka The visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Dhaka took place in the background of continuing deterioration in India-Bangladesh relations since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arrival in India to seek shelter on 5 August. The students’ agitation against her government in previous months assumed serious proportions. As it evolved, Islamists and other political forces opposed to the ruling Awami League government, and some foreign interests succeeded in engineering a regime change. The Interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser, began work on a hostile note, demanding Hasina’s repatriation and declaring that its installation represented “the second liberation” of Bangladesh. Between August and December 2024, diplomatic contacts were maintained to ensure the continuation of regular exchanges between the two governments, including through a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his counterpart in September in New York. During his day-long visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held discussions with his counterpart, the Foreign Affairs Adviser, and the Chief Adviser to review the entire gamut of issues to restore normalcy in this relationship. The dialogue agenda in Dhaka included items stretching from political and security matters to commerce, connectivity, and cooperation in water, power, and energy sectors, as well as development cooperation, consular, cultural, and people-to-people ties. Each side has had concerns and grievances against the other. For India, attacks on the minorities, including the Hindus, represented a significant issue. Attacks on its cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties caused much concern, too. The eruption of vitriolic rhetoric in the Bangladesh media was also noted, damaging the positive image India enjoyed due to its massive cooperation with Bangladesh and its vital role in the nation’s liberation. The Bangladesh side has also been exercised over several matters beyond seeking Hasina’s speedy return from India. The Misri visit was thus an occasion for a candid and constructive exchange of views. He emphasized the people-centric and people-oriented dimensions of this relationship between the two countries, which required careful nurturing. The visit has restored some normalcy to this relationship. Civil society in India has been deeply concerned over recent developments in Bangladesh. In an open letter to the people of Bangladesh, many eminent Indian citizens urged individuals and institutions in Bangladesh to work towards restoring democracy and secularism, including the rights of Hindus and other religious minorities. They also called for “early free, fair and inclusive elections.” Meanwhile, Dhaka announced that major reforms must precede elections, which were likely to take place between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. Prospects Political changes in a country inevitably affect its foreign policy. Changes in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during 2024 were bound to impact their approach towards India. Under the new president, Sri Lanka has demonstrated its inclination to accord due importance to its relations with India. How it manages its equations with Asia’s two major powers, India and China, will be monitored closely. On the other hand, the change in Dhaka was a significant setback to India and India-Bangladesh relations. New Delhi took the welcome initiative to arrange the FS-level dialogue. Given its multiple vulnerabilities, the new dispensation in Dhaka must shoulder its responsibility to stabilize and improve its relationship with India in mutual interest. Whether this is achieved and the challenges on the way could be a burning question in the opening months of 2025. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

A tale of two visits and two neighbours

A popular but accurate maxim applies to foreign affairs: you can choose your friends, but not your neighbours. A nation must live permanently with its neighbours, the only question being whether they will be friends, foes, or something in between. India's destiny in South Asia is to live with a constant fluctuation in relations with most of its neighbours. The implementation of its wise ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy depends on both India and its eight immediate neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar.&nbsp;

December witnessed two important visits: the incoming visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) from 15 to 17 December and the outgoing visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on&nbsp;December 9. Both served as useful yardsticks to measure where India’s relations with these two nations stood at present.&nbsp;

<h2 paraeid="{423d6d8d-dff8-4447-80cc-82e851c99bd4}{251}" paraid="9">Visit of SL President&nbsp;</h2>

The Sri Lankan President chose India for his first visit abroad as a clear signal that he considered this relationship to be of the highest importance. Still, it should not be interpreted as his choosing India over China. It only indicated that, while he would exercise his freedom to shape Sri Lanka-China ties the way his government considers fit, the ties with India will figure high on his agenda.&nbsp;

The backdrop of the visit lent special significance to it. AKD has come a long way from his leftist past and activism in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has now metamorphosed itself into a political coalition named the National People’s Power (NPP). His recent victories in the presidential and parliamentary elections and embracing pragmatism over ideology indicate the likelihood of a friendly equation with New Delhi. His emergence as the new political star has led to the complete marginalization of the UNP and SLFP, the two mainstream parties that dominated politics for decades.&nbsp;

The speed with which AKD’s state visit was arranged and its positive outcome are noteworthy. India’s generous assistance and unwavering support to Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022 won the deep appreciation of the visiting leader. The joint statement depicts the India-Sri Lanka partnership as “underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and the people-to-people relations.” Political and security cooperation, as well as issues concerning economy, trade, economy, energy, and cultural relations, were tackled in a constructive manner.&nbsp;

The two governments decided that the shared challenges facing them in the Indian Ocean region would be handled through the Colombo Security Dialogue and bilaterally. AKD&nbsp; reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security. Whether this means the end or reduction in visits by Chinese surveillance vessels to Sri Lankan ports will need to be watched as the year-long moratorium is about to end. However, the stress on forging greater cooperation through regional institutions such as the IORA and BIMSTEC was welcome. A noticeable trade-off was revealed: India extended support to Sri Lanka‘s application to become a member of BRICS even as Sri Lanka supported India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for 2028–29.&nbsp;

On legacy issues, little progress could be achieved. The Indian side publicly reiterated its hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority, but it omitted a reference to the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Sri Lankan reaction to the revised formulation is not known. On the contentious issue of fisheries,&nbsp; what the two leaders did was kick the ball back to officials who were instructed to continue their “engagement.” However, on other aspects of bilateral cooperation, the two governments announced a solid programme of action. The promise of “a futuristic vision”, complete with investment-led growth and physical, digital, and energy connectivity, is enticing. Clearly, India-Sri Lanka relations are in a good place today.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/be-mindful-of-your-comments-india-slams-bangladesh-over-yunus-aides-social-media-post-785675">Be mindful of your comments: India slams Bangladesh over Yunus aide's social media post</a>

<h2 paraeid="{f0e97c91-a539-4012-95e2-4f589217cb17}{39}" paraid="23">FS in Dhaka&nbsp;</h2>

The visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Dhaka took place in the background of continuing deterioration in India-Bangladesh relations since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arrival in India to seek shelter on&nbsp; 5 August. The students’ agitation against her government in previous months assumed serious proportions. As it evolved, Islamists and other political forces opposed to the ruling Awami League government, and some foreign interests succeeded in engineering a regime change. The Interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser, began work on a hostile note, demanding Hasina’s repatriation and declaring that its installation represented “the second liberation” of Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Between August and December 2024, diplomatic contacts were maintained to ensure the continuation of regular exchanges between the two governments, including through a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his counterpart in September in New York. During his day-long visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held discussions with his counterpart, the Foreign Affairs Adviser, and the Chief Adviser to review the entire gamut of issues to restore normalcy in this relationship. The dialogue agenda in Dhaka included items stretching from political and security matters to commerce, connectivity, and cooperation in water, power, and energy sectors, as well as development cooperation, consular, cultural, and people-to-people ties.&nbsp;

Each side has had concerns and grievances against the other. For India, attacks on the minorities, including the Hindus, represented a significant issue. Attacks on its cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties caused much concern, too. The eruption of vitriolic rhetoric in the Bangladesh media was also noted, damaging the positive image India enjoyed due to its massive cooperation with Bangladesh and its vital role in the nation’s liberation. The Bangladesh side has also been exercised over several matters beyond seeking Hasina’s speedy return from India. The Misri visit was thus an occasion for a candid and constructive exchange of views. He emphasized the people-centric and people-oriented dimensions of this relationship between the two countries, which required careful nurturing.&nbsp; The visit has restored some normalcy to this relationship.&nbsp;

Civil society in India has been deeply concerned over recent developments in Bangladesh. In an open letter to the people of Bangladesh, many eminent Indian citizens urged individuals and institutions in Bangladesh to work towards restoring democracy and secularism, including the rights of Hindus and other religious minorities. They also called for “early free, fair and inclusive elections.” Meanwhile, Dhaka announced that major reforms must precede elections, which were likely to take place between late 2025 and the first half of 2026.&nbsp;

<h2 paraeid="{25f9177a-3fd1-440b-b5ca-6e5d00010ec0}{226}" paraid="35">Prospects&nbsp;</h2>

Political changes in a country inevitably affect its foreign policy. Changes in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during 2024 were bound to impact their approach towards India. Under the new president, Sri Lanka has demonstrated its inclination to accord due importance to its relations with India. How it manages its equations with Asia’s two major powers, India and China, will be monitored closely.&nbsp;

On the other hand, the change in Dhaka was a significant setback to India and India-Bangladesh relations. New Delhi took the welcome initiative to arrange the FS-level dialogue. Given its multiple vulnerabilities, the new dispensation in Dhaka must shoulder its responsibility to stabilize and improve its relationship with India in mutual interest. Whether this is achieved and the challenges on the way could be a burning question in the opening months of 2025.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

A popular but accurate maxim applies to foreign affairs: you can choose your friends, but not your neighbours. A nation must live permanently with its neighbours, the only question being whether they will be friends, foes, or something in between.

A popular but accurate maxim applies to foreign affairs: you can choose your friends, but not your neighbours. A nation must live permanently with its neighbours, the only question being whether they will be friends, foes, or something in between. India's destiny in South Asia is to live with a constant fluctuation in relations with most of its neighbours. The implementation of its wise ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy depends on both India and its eight immediate neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. December witnessed two important visits: the incoming visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) from 15 to 17 December and the outgoing visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Dhaka on December 9. Both served as useful yardsticks to measure where India’s relations with these two nations stood at present. Visit of SL President The Sri Lankan President chose India for his first visit abroad as a clear signal that he considered this relationship to be of the highest importance. Still, it should not be interpreted as his choosing India over China. It only indicated that, while he would exercise his freedom to shape Sri Lanka-China ties the way his government considers fit, the ties with India will figure high on his agenda. The backdrop of the visit lent special significance to it. AKD has come a long way from his leftist past and activism in the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which has now metamorphosed itself into a political coalition named the National People’s Power (NPP). His recent victories in the presidential and parliamentary elections and embracing pragmatism over ideology indicate the likelihood of a friendly equation with New Delhi. His emergence as the new political star has led to the complete marginalization of the UNP and SLFP, the two mainstream parties that dominated politics for decades. The speed with which AKD’s state visit was arranged and its positive outcome are noteworthy. India’s generous assistance and unwavering support to Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022 won the deep appreciation of the visiting leader. The joint statement depicts the India-Sri Lanka partnership as “underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and the people-to-people relations.” Political and security cooperation, as well as issues concerning economy, trade, economy, energy, and cultural relations, were tackled in a constructive manner. The two governments decided that the shared challenges facing them in the Indian Ocean region would be handled through the Colombo Security Dialogue and bilaterally. AKD reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security. Whether this means the end or reduction in visits by Chinese surveillance vessels to Sri Lankan ports will need to be watched as the year-long moratorium is about to end. However, the stress on forging greater cooperation through regional institutions such as the IORA and BIMSTEC was welcome. A noticeable trade-off was revealed: India extended support to Sri Lanka‘s application to become a member of BRICS even as Sri Lanka supported India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for 2028–29. On legacy issues, little progress could be achieved. The Indian side publicly reiterated its hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority, but it omitted a reference to the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Sri Lankan reaction to the revised formulation is not known. On the contentious issue of fisheries, what the two leaders did was kick the ball back to officials who were instructed to continue their “engagement.” However, on other aspects of bilateral cooperation, the two governments announced a solid programme of action. The promise of “a futuristic vision”, complete with investment-led growth and physical, digital, and energy connectivity, is enticing. Clearly, India-Sri Lanka relations are in a good place today. Also read: Be mindful of your comments: India slams Bangladesh over Yunus aide's social media post FS in Dhaka The visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Dhaka took place in the background of continuing deterioration in India-Bangladesh relations since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arrival in India to seek shelter on 5 August. The students’ agitation against her government in previous months assumed serious proportions. As it evolved, Islamists and other political forces opposed to the ruling Awami League government, and some foreign interests succeeded in engineering a regime change. The Interim government, headed by Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser, began work on a hostile note, demanding Hasina’s repatriation and declaring that its installation represented “the second liberation” of Bangladesh. Between August and December 2024, diplomatic contacts were maintained to ensure the continuation of regular exchanges between the two governments, including through a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his counterpart in September in New York. During his day-long visit, Foreign Secretary Misri held discussions with his counterpart, the Foreign Affairs Adviser, and the Chief Adviser to review the entire gamut of issues to restore normalcy in this relationship. The dialogue agenda in Dhaka included items stretching from political and security matters to commerce, connectivity, and cooperation in water, power, and energy sectors, as well as development cooperation, consular, cultural, and people-to-people ties. Each side has had concerns and grievances against the other. For India, attacks on the minorities, including the Hindus, represented a significant issue. Attacks on its cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties caused much concern, too. The eruption of vitriolic rhetoric in the Bangladesh media was also noted, damaging the positive image India enjoyed due to its massive cooperation with Bangladesh and its vital role in the nation’s liberation. The Bangladesh side has also been exercised over several matters beyond seeking Hasina’s speedy return from India. The Misri visit was thus an occasion for a candid and constructive exchange of views. He emphasized the people-centric and people-oriented dimensions of this relationship between the two countries, which required careful nurturing. The visit has restored some normalcy to this relationship. Civil society in India has been deeply concerned over recent developments in Bangladesh. In an open letter to the people of Bangladesh, many eminent Indian citizens urged individuals and institutions in Bangladesh to work towards restoring democracy and secularism, including the rights of Hindus and other religious minorities. They also called for “early free, fair and inclusive elections.” Meanwhile, Dhaka announced that major reforms must precede elections, which were likely to take place between late 2025 and the first half of 2026. Prospects Political changes in a country inevitably affect its foreign policy. Changes in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during 2024 were bound to impact their approach towards India. Under the new president, Sri Lanka has demonstrated its inclination to accord due importance to its relations with India. How it manages its equations with Asia’s two major powers, India and China, will be monitored closely. On the other hand, the change in Dhaka was a significant setback to India and India-Bangladesh relations. New Delhi took the welcome initiative to arrange the FS-level dialogue. Given its multiple vulnerabilities, the new dispensation in Dhaka must shoulder its responsibility to stabilize and improve its relationship with India in mutual interest. Whether this is achieved and the challenges on the way could be a burning question in the opening months of 2025. Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.

Indians and Pakistanis don’t trust each other, but Bangladeshis seem to trust everyone, a new survey by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) has revealed. The survey was done with the CVoter Foundation to discover the changing viewpoints of the citizens of three South Asian nations - Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis - towards each other.&nbsp;

The report, titled South Asia in a Changing World, is the latest in a long list of conversations aimed at fostering more cooperation among the three nations.

The survey also shows that most people agreed that partition of the Indian subcontinent was the right call. It includes both the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan and the 1971 partition of Pakistan and Bangladesh (then called East Pakistan).&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/necessary-steps-will-be-taken-new-bangladesh-government-to-extradite-ex-pm-sheikh-hasina-from-india-756912">'Necessary steps will be taken': New Bangladesh government seeks extradition of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina from India</a>v

“Partition is not something of the past, it is very much present. Our international and regional relations are really a reflection of our inability to solve the creation of new sovereignties, not once but twice over,” said journalist and foreign policy analyst C Raja Mohan at a panel discussion following the launch of the report in Delhi on August 29.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;India-Bangladesh: What's next for India-Bangladesh relations?

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The report does not account for the significant changes that have unfolded in any of the countries since 2002 - the 2024 general election in India, the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the unofficial coup of Imran Khan by the Pakistani Army. The report instead, surveyed 12,258 people regarding their thoughts on Partition and vote-buying prevalence in their respective countries.

<h2>Key findings of the survey&nbsp;</h2>

-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Around 78 per cent of Indian respondents surveyed said they don’t trust Pakistan, while 60 per cent of Pakistanis who participated in the study said they didn’t trust Indians. In contrast, 66 per cent of Bangladeshi respondents trust India and 63 per cent trust Pakistan.

-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;All the people surveyed said Partition was the right call; however, the number was lowest in India. While a majority of the respondents agreed that Partition was necessary, more Indians said they wished it could be reversed. This was in response to a hypothetical question: If a reversal of the 1947 India-Pakistan Partition is proposed, would you support it?

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-authorities-crack-down-on-fake-tourists-heading-to-middle-east-to-beg-749515">Pakistan: Authorities crack down on 'fake' tourists heading to Middle East to beg</a>

-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Citizens were moderately satisfied with the economic development of their respective countries but were greatly optimistic about the future. &nbsp;

-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;While India and Bangladesh have had significant economic growth in recent years, panellists admitted to not having a reason to explain this optimism, especially in Pakistan.

-&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Similarly, citizens showed increasing religiosity, but at the same time, were also concerned about the rising influence of religious leaders. There is nostalgia about pre-Partition times, yet no real belief in the possibility of India and Pakistan being friends.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indians and Pakistanis don’t trust each other, but Bangladeshis seem to trust everyone, a new survey by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) has revealed. The survey was done with the CVoter Foundation to discover the changing viewpoints of the citizens of three South Asian nations - Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis - towards each other.

Indians and Pakistanis don’t trust each other, but Bangladeshis seem to trust everyone, a new survey by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) has revealed. The survey was done with the CVoter Foundation to discover the changing viewpoints of the citizens of three South Asian nations - Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis - towards each other. The report, titled South Asia in a Changing World, is the latest in a long list of conversations aimed at fostering more cooperation among the three nations. The survey also shows that most people agreed that partition of the Indian subcontinent was the right call. It includes both the 1947 partition of India and Pakistan and the 1971 partition of Pakistan and Bangladesh (then called East Pakistan). Also Read | 'Necessary steps will be taken': New Bangladesh government seeks extradition of ex-PM Sheikh Hasina from Indiav “Partition is not something of the past, it is very much present. Our international and regional relations are really a reflection of our inability to solve the creation of new sovereignties, not once but twice over,” said journalist and foreign policy analyst C Raja Mohan at a panel discussion following the launch of the report in Delhi on August 29. Watch | India-Bangladesh: What's next for India-Bangladesh relations? × The report does not account for the significant changes that have unfolded in any of the countries since 2002 - the 2024 general election in India, the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the unofficial coup of Imran Khan by the Pakistani Army. The report instead, surveyed 12,258 people regarding their thoughts on Partition and vote-buying prevalence in their respective countries. Key findings of the survey - Around 78 per cent of Indian respondents surveyed said they don’t trust Pakistan, while 60 per cent of Pakistanis who participated in the study said they didn’t trust Indians. In contrast, 66 per cent of Bangladeshi respondents trust India and 63 per cent trust Pakistan. - All the people surveyed said Partition was the right call; however, the number was lowest in India. While a majority of the respondents agreed that Partition was necessary, more Indians said they wished it could be reversed. This was in response to a hypothetical question: If a reversal of the 1947 India-Pakistan Partition is proposed, would you support it? Also Read | Pakistan: Authorities crack down on 'fake' tourists heading to Middle East to beg - Citizens were moderately satisfied with the economic development of their respective countries but were greatly optimistic about the future. - While India and Bangladesh have had significant economic growth in recent years, panellists admitted to not having a reason to explain this optimism, especially in Pakistan. - Similarly, citizens showed increasing religiosity, but at the same time, were also concerned about the rising influence of religious leaders. There is nostalgia about pre-Partition times, yet no real belief in the possibility of India and Pakistan being friends. (With inputs from agencies)

Indians and Pakistanis don’t trust each other, Bangladeshis seem to trust everyone: Survey

Just days after Bangladesh's interim government announced plans to repatriate former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, a murder case has been filed against her and six others. The case involves the killing of a grocery shop owner, identified as Abu Sayed, who was killed during police firing in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka on July 19, at the peak of the unrest that concluded with&nbsp;Hasina's exit from Dhaka.

The incident occurred during a rally&nbsp;in support of&nbsp;the anti-reservation movement in the Bosila area, Bangladesh's Daily Star publication has reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/deeply-concerned-jaishankar-to-rajya-sabha-on-state-of-bangladesh-minorities-after-sheikh-hasinas-exit-747668">'Deeply concerned': Jaishankar on state of minorities in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s exit</a>

Along with Hasina, the names of&nbsp;Awami League&nbsp;General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and three former top police officials have been mentioned as co-accused.

This marks the first legal case against&nbsp;Hasina since she resigned from office and fled to India on August 5. The complaint was lodged by Amir Hamza Shatil, a resident of Mohammadpur, who claims to be a well-wisher of the victim and a Bangladeshi citizen. Shatil stated that he took it upon himself to file the case as the victim's family lacked the means to pursue legal action.

The court hearing for the case is scheduled for Tuesday (August 14) afternoon.

Also watch |&nbsp;Bangladesh unrest: Former PM Hasina hints at US role behind her ouster

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This development comes amid discussions within the Bangladesh interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus over Hasina's potential repatriation. The interim foreign ministry has suggested that it consider taking steps to bring her back if the law ministry requests it.

Interim government foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that any action by the foreign ministry would be contingent on such a request.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim government has asserted that the ousted PM's&nbsp;presence in India will not impact the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Hossain said that mutual interests drive bilateral relations and are not influenced by the presence of any single individual in either country.

“Bilateral relations is an important issue…it's built on mutual interest,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Just days after Bangladesh's interim government announced plans to repatriate former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, a murder case has been filed against her and six others.

Just days after Bangladesh's interim government announced plans to repatriate former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, a murder case has been filed against her and six others. The case involves the killing of a grocery shop owner, identified as Abu Sayed, who was killed during police firing in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka on July 19, at the peak of the unrest that concluded with Hasina's exit from Dhaka. The incident occurred during a rally in support of the anti-reservation movement in the Bosila area, Bangladesh's Daily Star publication has reported. Also read | 'Deeply concerned': Jaishankar on state of minorities in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s exit Along with Hasina, the names of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and three former top police officials have been mentioned as co-accused. This marks the first legal case against Hasina since she resigned from office and fled to India on August 5. The complaint was lodged by Amir Hamza Shatil, a resident of Mohammadpur, who claims to be a well-wisher of the victim and a Bangladeshi citizen. Shatil stated that he took it upon himself to file the case as the victim's family lacked the means to pursue legal action. The court hearing for the case is scheduled for Tuesday (August 14) afternoon. Also watch | Bangladesh unrest: Former PM Hasina hints at US role behind her ouster × This development comes amid discussions within the Bangladesh interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus over Hasina's potential repatriation. The interim foreign ministry has suggested that it consider taking steps to bring her back if the law ministry requests it. Interim government foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that any action by the foreign ministry would be contingent on such a request. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim government has asserted that the ousted PM's presence in India will not impact the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Hossain said that mutual interests drive bilateral relations and are not influenced by the presence of any single individual in either country. “Bilateral relations is an important issue…it's built on mutual interest,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh former PM Sheikh Hasina booked for murder of Dhaka grocer

Three slips, a gully, a forward short leg, a backward short leg and a silly point! For cricket-loving South Asia, in which even mountainous laggard Nepal has officially risen to the highest levels of competition, the sport left by British colonial masters is a matter of both love and habit now.

It also turns out to be a good metaphor to explain many things, including foreign policy. Imagine India as a batsman now, and the close fielding set-up described above as one in which the player at the crease is surrounded by alert opponents ready to pounce and take a catch. From all signs, India's diplomatic situation in South Asia resembles a tough pitch in which it is difficult to score runs, surrounded as it is by neighbours who are not necessarily friends.

Let's take a closer look, especially after the fearful flight of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New&nbsp;Delhi amid frenzied mobs staging a chaotic, revolutionary overthrow of an elected leader. Bangladesh seemed the only side of the subcontinent India could somewhat take for granted but turned turtle overnight -- and the problem could well lie in the fact that India's foreign policy crafters had taken things for granted because of the role India's army had played in carving the country out of the former East Pakistan.

A friendly leader is not necessarily the equivalent of a friendly state or friendly nation, and that is what the disruptive events at Dhaka show.

China is no cricket-playing nation, but, if critics are to be believed, has had a hand in overthrowing the regime in Dhaka. My own view is that no upsurge of the kind we are witnessing in Bangladesh can be easily explained away by a conspiracy theory or two. But rest assured, the mandarins in Beijing are at work to increase their influence in Asia and beyond.

Consider the Maldives next. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is off for a three-day official visit to the archipelago to talk business with President Mohamed Muizzu, who is certainly pro-China from all indications.&nbsp;

Maldives, in the smartest tradition of playing foreign policy games, is a small neighbour trying to get the best out of giant regional powers. The External Affairs Ministry, exhibiting a fancy for Hindi-sounding acronyms that has become a familiar style for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government, says that Maldives is a key maritime neighbour in India's Neighbourhood First policy and the vision for SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).&nbsp;

That plays well on the Hindi word for ocean, but a hard look at recent developments shows that India's policy in the blue ocean may be all at sea. Not only did Muizzu storm to power on a plank hostile to India, he also demanded that Indian military personnel leave his country soon after he assumed office.

Sri Lanka, not so far away, seems to have a somewhat India-friendly president in Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was installed after a popular upsurge in 2022 against Mahinda Rajapaksa's strongman government.

But news this week that Namal Rajapaksa, the 38-year-old son of the deposed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna leader will run for presidential elections marks an end to the uneasy support the party offered for Wickremesinghe of the United National Party. The Rajapaksas have historically been pro-China.

There is a huge and ever-present China challenge for India in dealing with Sri Lanka apart from other issues like troubles for India's fishermen. If the elections on&nbsp;September&nbsp;21 bring back the Rajapaksas, tensions may rise.

China's involvement in Sri Lanka includes a trade surplus, economic aid, oil exploration, investments, and support for Colombo in dealing with human rights issues after its crackdown on Tamil separatists in the north and east. This legacy will remain irrespective of which party comes to power.

China expert Mohan Malik has described Beijing's increasing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region as one that involves "encirclement, entanglement and envelopment" – broadly/respectively corresponding to military/diplomatic influence, exploitation of chinks in domestic politics and use of economic incentives.

Beyond Sri Lanka and Maldives, there is Myanmar, whose military rulers are unambiguously close to China in diplomacy, economic affairs and smothering liberal democracy.

You could simply add a ditto for Pakistan, which is officially a democracy but in effect under the strong influence of its military and intelligence establishment that acts like a state within a state.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project involves the construction of a 3,000-km infrastructure network spanning land and sea as part of Beijing's larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Launched in 2015 when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in power in Islamabad with 51 agreements, its cost is estimated at $62 billion. With Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz taking his place in a comeback for the political dynasty, China appears stronger placed. The CPEC also involves segments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and that is enough to keep India concerned, apart from China's illegal encroachment into India's Ladakh region in 2020.

Recent terror attacks in Jammu show that for all the tall claims made about bringing peace and democracy back to Jammu and Kashmir, the Modi government has miles to go in the region disputed by Pakistan. Dealing with a Pakistan-China axis in the north is a huge challenge in itself.

Nepal has been relatively stable for India, but its historic ties with Beijing, north of its national pride, Mount Everest, is an ever-present factor. Things seemed to look up in June when Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony after the general elections in India. Prachanda lost power soon thereafter in Nepal's parliament.

His successor K.P. Sharma Oli has sounded equally optimistic about ties with India. But irritants kept cropping up. Weeks before the two leaders made friendly noises, a boundary dispute cropped up when Kathmandu announced a new currency note featuring a map of Nepal that showed about 335 km of Indian territory as part of Nepal.

Bhutan has a longstanding border dispute with China, but Beijing has been making noises against Indian support to the mountain state as "interference". If you think all that is part of China's "encirclement" nudge, you are bound to find support in diplomatic conversations.

The big question is: Is India's "Look East" policy that charms Japan and Australia, or its "Vishwaguru" (global guru) stature that sends vaccines to Africa missing bigger opportunities and challenges in its own backyard? More importantly, whether it is the Ukraine war or Israel's attacks on Gaza, the Modi government has shown some audacity in foreign policy positions that add to potential troubles in its neighbourhood.

In cricketing terms, it seems the Modi government is too busy playing its natural strokes that it overlooks field positions. As they say in cricket, on a difficult pitch, you play defensive shots.

The Bangladesh crisis is a wake-up call for India to find the right balance between reckless sovereignty and smart alliances. It is time to switch from self-loving rhetoric and fancy acronyms to some down-to-earth diplomacy. It pays to be old-fashioned without being ancient.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;

Three slips, a gully, a forward short leg, a backward short leg and a silly point! For cricket-loving South Asia, in which even mountainous laggard Nepal has officially risen to the highest levels of competition, the sport left by British colonial masters is a matter of both love and habit now.

Three slips, a gully, a forward short leg, a backward short leg and a silly point! For cricket-loving South Asia, in which even mountainous laggard Nepal has officially risen to the highest levels of competition, the sport left by British colonial masters is a matter of both love and habit now. It also turns out to be a good metaphor to explain many things, including foreign policy. Imagine India as a batsman now, and the close fielding set-up described above as one in which the player at the crease is surrounded by alert opponents ready to pounce and take a catch. From all signs, India's diplomatic situation in South Asia resembles a tough pitch in which it is difficult to score runs, surrounded as it is by neighbours who are not necessarily friends. Let's take a closer look, especially after the fearful flight of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi amid frenzied mobs staging a chaotic, revolutionary overthrow of an elected leader. Bangladesh seemed the only side of the subcontinent India could somewhat take for granted but turned turtle overnight -- and the problem could well lie in the fact that India's foreign policy crafters had taken things for granted because of the role India's army had played in carving the country out of the former East Pakistan. A friendly leader is not necessarily the equivalent of a friendly state or friendly nation, and that is what the disruptive events at Dhaka show. China is no cricket-playing nation, but, if critics are to be believed, has had a hand in overthrowing the regime in Dhaka. My own view is that no upsurge of the kind we are witnessing in Bangladesh can be easily explained away by a conspiracy theory or two. But rest assured, the mandarins in Beijing are at work to increase their influence in Asia and beyond. Consider the Maldives next. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is off for a three-day official visit to the archipelago to talk business with President Mohamed Muizzu, who is certainly pro-China from all indications. Maldives, in the smartest tradition of playing foreign policy games, is a small neighbour trying to get the best out of giant regional powers. The External Affairs Ministry, exhibiting a fancy for Hindi-sounding acronyms that has become a familiar style for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP government, says that Maldives is a key maritime neighbour in India's Neighbourhood First policy and the vision for SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region). That plays well on the Hindi word for ocean, but a hard look at recent developments shows that India's policy in the blue ocean may be all at sea. Not only did Muizzu storm to power on a plank hostile to India, he also demanded that Indian military personnel leave his country soon after he assumed office. Sri Lanka, not so far away, seems to have a somewhat India-friendly president in Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was installed after a popular upsurge in 2022 against Mahinda Rajapaksa's strongman government. But news this week that Namal Rajapaksa, the 38-year-old son of the deposed Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna leader will run for presidential elections marks an end to the uneasy support the party offered for Wickremesinghe of the United National Party. The Rajapaksas have historically been pro-China. There is a huge and ever-present China challenge for India in dealing with Sri Lanka apart from other issues like troubles for India's fishermen. If the elections on September 21 bring back the Rajapaksas, tensions may rise. China's involvement in Sri Lanka includes a trade surplus, economic aid, oil exploration, investments, and support for Colombo in dealing with human rights issues after its crackdown on Tamil separatists in the north and east. This legacy will remain irrespective of which party comes to power. China expert Mohan Malik has described Beijing's increasing influence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region as one that involves "encirclement, entanglement and envelopment" – broadly/respectively corresponding to military/diplomatic influence, exploitation of chinks in domestic politics and use of economic incentives. Beyond Sri Lanka and Maldives, there is Myanmar, whose military rulers are unambiguously close to China in diplomacy, economic affairs and smothering liberal democracy. You could simply add a ditto for Pakistan, which is officially a democracy but in effect under the strong influence of its military and intelligence establishment that acts like a state within a state. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project involves the construction of a 3,000-km infrastructure network spanning land and sea as part of Beijing's larger Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Launched in 2015 when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was in power in Islamabad with 51 agreements, its cost is estimated at $62 billion. With Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz taking his place in a comeback for the political dynasty, China appears stronger placed. The CPEC also involves segments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and that is enough to keep India concerned, apart from China's illegal encroachment into India's Ladakh region in 2020. Recent terror attacks in Jammu show that for all the tall claims made about bringing peace and democracy back to Jammu and Kashmir, the Modi government has miles to go in the region disputed by Pakistan. Dealing with a Pakistan-China axis in the north is a huge challenge in itself. Nepal has been relatively stable for India, but its historic ties with Beijing, north of its national pride, Mount Everest, is an ever-present factor. Things seemed to look up in June when Nepal's Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' attended Modi's swearing-in ceremony after the general elections in India. Prachanda lost power soon thereafter in Nepal's parliament. His successor K.P. Sharma Oli has sounded equally optimistic about ties with India. But irritants kept cropping up. Weeks before the two leaders made friendly noises, a boundary dispute cropped up when Kathmandu announced a new currency note featuring a map of Nepal that showed about 335 km of Indian territory as part of Nepal. Bhutan has a longstanding border dispute with China, but Beijing has been making noises against Indian support to the mountain state as "interference". If you think all that is part of China's "encirclement" nudge, you are bound to find support in diplomatic conversations. The big question is: Is India's "Look East" policy that charms Japan and Australia, or its "Vishwaguru" (global guru) stature that sends vaccines to Africa missing bigger opportunities and challenges in its own backyard? More importantly, whether it is the Ukraine war or Israel's attacks on Gaza, the Modi government has shown some audacity in foreign policy positions that add to potential troubles in its neighbourhood. In cricketing terms, it seems the Modi government is too busy playing its natural strokes that it overlooks field positions. As they say in cricket, on a difficult pitch, you play defensive shots. The Bangladesh crisis is a wake-up call for India to find the right balance between reckless sovereignty and smart alliances. It is time to switch from self-loving rhetoric and fancy acronyms to some down-to-earth diplomacy. It pays to be old-fashioned without being ancient. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Chinks in diplomatic armour: Why the Bangladesh crisis is a wake-up call for encircled India

Bangladesh and India have agreed to use non-lethal weapons to reduce the number of border killings, said Bangladesh's Foreign Minister on Monday (Feb 12).

<h2>Delhi-Dhaka deals</h2>

Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that during his recent visit to New Delhi, the&nbsp;two nations "have discussed the border killings. We agreed to the use of non-lethal weapons to reduce border killings."

Mahmud also said that he discussed the Teesta water-sharing issue.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-pragati-maidan-tunnel-needs-major-revamp-due-to-negligence-in-maintenance-delay-in-completion-688390">Delhi's Pragati Maidan Tunnel needs 'major revamp' due to seepage, design flaws</a>

"You know that the Teesta deal does not depend on the Centre, but the state. The issue will be looked at after the national elections in April-May," he said, as reported by The Daily Star.

The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister visited New Delhi from February 7-9. During it, he had his first bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He also called on Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

As per an ANI news report, during his meeting with Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Hasan "requested India's support in ensuring supply of essential commodities and further improving trade and commerce relations with India."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-start-satellite-based-toll-collection-on-mysuru-bengaluru-expressway-know-what-is-it-689623">India to start satellite-based toll collection on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, know what is it</a>

With National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, he discussed ways and means of regional cooperation for ensuring regional security and maintaining greater stability in the region and beyond.&nbsp;

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Modi, the relationship between Bangladesh and India has strengthened, diversified, bringing economic and social benefits for the people of our region," he said addressing a presser on Bangladesh-India ties.&nbsp;

Highlighting the progression of the relationship, he noted, "Our relationship has gone to new heights. The concepts of 10-15 years ago are the realities today, and political issues of the debate are the reality today."

(With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh and India have agreed to use non-lethal weapons to reduce the number of border killings, said Bangladesh's Foreign Minister on Monday (Feb 12). Delhi-Dhaka deals Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that during his recent visit to New Delhi, the two nations "have discussed the border killings.

Bangladesh and India have agreed to use non-lethal weapons to reduce the number of border killings, said Bangladesh's Foreign Minister on Monday (Feb 12). Delhi-Dhaka deals Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud said that during his recent visit to New Delhi, the two nations "have discussed the border killings. We agreed to the use of non-lethal weapons to reduce border killings." Mahmud also said that he discussed the Teesta water-sharing issue. Also read | Delhi's Pragati Maidan Tunnel needs 'major revamp' due to seepage, design flaws "You know that the Teesta deal does not depend on the Centre, but the state. The issue will be looked at after the national elections in April-May," he said, as reported by The Daily Star. The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister visited New Delhi from February 7-9. During it, he had his first bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He also called on Indian President Droupadi Murmu. As per an ANI news report, during his meeting with Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Hasan "requested India's support in ensuring supply of essential commodities and further improving trade and commerce relations with India." Also read | India to start satellite-based toll collection on Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway, know what is it With National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, he discussed ways and means of regional cooperation for ensuring regional security and maintaining greater stability in the region and beyond. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Modi, the relationship between Bangladesh and India has strengthened, diversified, bringing economic and social benefits for the people of our region," he said addressing a presser on Bangladesh-India ties. Highlighting the progression of the relationship, he noted, "Our relationship has gone to new heights. The concepts of 10-15 years ago are the realities today, and political issues of the debate are the reality today." (With inputs from agencies)

India, Bangladesh agree to use ‘non-lethal’ weapons to reduce border killings: Hasan Mahmud

Two major banks in Bangladesh, including the largest state-owned lender, are planning to introduce trade transactions denominated in Indian rupees, announced officials on Friday. This move comes as Bangladesh aims to strengthen its declining foreign exchange reserves.

Traditionally, trade transactions in Bangladesh have been conducted exclusively in US dollars. However, Reuters reports that state-owned Sonali Bank and Eastern Bank have recently opened "nostro" accounts in rupees with India's State Bank of India and ICICI Bank, respectively.

<h2>Nostro bank accounts</h2>

The establishment of these nostro accounts will allow the banks to hold funds in rupees abroad and facilitate international trade and foreign exchange transactions, reports Reuters.

According to Afzal Karim, the managing director of Sonali Bank, "This is just the beginning. More banks will join us in the coming days."

The introduction of Indian rupee trade transactions is anticipated to alleviate pressure on Bangladesh's foreign reserves, he added.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-orders-closure-of-hair-and-beauty-salons-in-afghanistan-further-restricting-womens-rights-611826">Taliban order closure of hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan, further restricting women's rights</a>

"It will ease pressure on the foreign reserves."

The exchange rate mechanism for these transactions will be determined on a cross-currency basis by individual banks, with a formal announcement scheduled for July 11, according to Ali Reza Iftekhar, the managing director of Eastern Bank.

<h2>Why did Bangladesh introduce transactions in Indian Rupee</h2>

Talking to Reuters, Iftekhar said that by incorporating the Indian Rupee in trade with India, Bangladesh aims to establish a convenient and cost-effective mechanism for cross-border transactions.

"The use of the Indian Rupee in India-Bangladesh trade provides a convenient and cost-effective mechanism for conducting cross-border transactions, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties between the two nations," he said.

<h2>Bilateral relationship and Bangladesh's financial troubles</h2>

India stands as Bangladesh's second-largest import source after China. In the year leading up to June 2022, Bangladesh's exports to India amounted to $2 billion, while imports from India reached $13.69 billion.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-thieves-would-use-police-van-to-loot-cooking-oil-now-arrested-613018">Pakistan: Gang of thieves looting cooking oil busted; used police van for crime, three arrested</a>

Bangladesh has been facing challenges in paying for imported fuel due to a shortage of US dollars. Its dollar reserves have also seen a decline of over a third since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reaching a seven-year low of $31.60 billion.

The devaluation of Bangladesh's currency, the 'Taka', by more than a sixth in the past 12 months through May further adds to the country's economic struggles.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two major banks in Bangladesh, including the largest state-owned lender, are planning to introduce trade transactions denominated in Indian rupees, announced officials on Friday.

Two major banks in Bangladesh, including the largest state-owned lender, are planning to introduce trade transactions denominated in Indian rupees, announced officials on Friday. This move comes as Bangladesh aims to strengthen its declining foreign exchange reserves. Traditionally, trade transactions in Bangladesh have been conducted exclusively in US dollars. However, Reuters reports that state-owned Sonali Bank and Eastern Bank have recently opened "nostro" accounts in rupees with India's State Bank of India and ICICI Bank, respectively. Nostro bank accounts The establishment of these nostro accounts will allow the banks to hold funds in rupees abroad and facilitate international trade and foreign exchange transactions, reports Reuters. According to Afzal Karim, the managing director of Sonali Bank, "This is just the beginning. More banks will join us in the coming days." The introduction of Indian rupee trade transactions is anticipated to alleviate pressure on Bangladesh's foreign reserves, he added. Also read | Taliban order closure of hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan, further restricting women's rights "It will ease pressure on the foreign reserves." The exchange rate mechanism for these transactions will be determined on a cross-currency basis by individual banks, with a formal announcement scheduled for July 11, according to Ali Reza Iftekhar, the managing director of Eastern Bank. Why did Bangladesh introduce transactions in Indian Rupee Talking to Reuters, Iftekhar said that by incorporating the Indian Rupee in trade with India, Bangladesh aims to establish a convenient and cost-effective mechanism for cross-border transactions. "The use of the Indian Rupee in India-Bangladesh trade provides a convenient and cost-effective mechanism for conducting cross-border transactions, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties between the two nations," he said. Bilateral relationship and Bangladesh's financial troubles India stands as Bangladesh's second-largest import source after China. In the year leading up to June 2022, Bangladesh's exports to India amounted to $2 billion, while imports from India reached $13.69 billion. Also read | Pakistan: Gang of thieves looting cooking oil busted; used police van for crime, three arrested Bangladesh has been facing challenges in paying for imported fuel due to a shortage of US dollars. Its dollar reserves have also seen a decline of over a third since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reaching a seven-year low of $31.60 billion. The devaluation of Bangladesh's currency, the 'Taka', by more than a sixth in the past 12 months through May further adds to the country's economic struggles. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Two Bangladeshi banks introduce Indian rupee trade transactions to bolster foreign reserves

India and Bangladesh will hold biannual talks between their border guarding forces in Delhi from June 11 during which the two sides are expected to discuss a host of issues related to combating cross-frontier crimes and measures to create better synergy.

A 15-member delegation of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), led by its director general (DG) Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan, landed in Delhi on Saturday. Border Security Force (BSF) DG Sujoy Lal Thaosen and senior officers of the force welcomed them at the airport, officials said.

The four-day talks will conclude on June 14 at a BSF camp in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area.

"The conference is being organised to discuss the border-related issues and for better coordination between both border guarding forces."

"Discussions will be held on how to jointly curb the various trans-border crimes and timely sharing of information between both the border guarding forces," a BSF spokesperson said in a statement.

Further, there will be deliberations on developmental and infrastructural works, joint efforts for effective implementation of Co-ordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), the spokesperson said.

This will be the 53rd edition of the talks and the last such meeting was held in July last year when the BSF delegation travelled to Dhaka.

The BSF guards the 4,096-km-long international border with Bangladesh on India's eastern flank. 
These talks were held annually between 1975 and 1992 but they were made biannual in 1993 with either side alternately travelling to the national capitals of New Delhi and Dhaka.

A senior BSF officer had earlier told PTI that the relations between the two countries and their border forces are very good and the conference is expected to enhance these ties. A 'joint record of discussions' will be signed by the two sides at the end of the conference.

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India and Bangladesh will hold biannual talks between their border guarding forces in Delhi from June 11 during which the two sides are expected to discuss a host of issues related to combating cross-frontier crimes and measures to create better synergy.

India and Bangladesh will hold biannual talks between their border guarding forces in Delhi from June 11 during which the two sides are expected to discuss a host of issues related to combating cross-frontier crimes and measures to create better synergy. A 15-member delegation of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), led by its director general (DG) Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan, landed in Delhi on Saturday. Border Security Force (BSF) DG Sujoy Lal Thaosen and senior officers of the force welcomed them at the airport, officials said. The four-day talks will conclude on June 14 at a BSF camp in southwest Delhi's Chhawla area. "The conference is being organised to discuss the border-related issues and for better coordination between both border guarding forces." "Discussions will be held on how to jointly curb the various trans-border crimes and timely sharing of information between both the border guarding forces," a BSF spokesperson said in a statement. Further, there will be deliberations on developmental and infrastructural works, joint efforts for effective implementation of Co-ordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), the spokesperson said. This will be the 53rd edition of the talks and the last such meeting was held in July last year when the BSF delegation travelled to Dhaka. The BSF guards the 4,096-km-long international border with Bangladesh on India's eastern flank. These talks were held annually between 1975 and 1992 but they were made biannual in 1993 with either side alternately travelling to the national capitals of New Delhi and Dhaka. A senior BSF officer had earlier told PTI that the relations between the two countries and their border forces are very good and the conference is expected to enhance these ties. A 'joint record of discussions' will be signed by the two sides at the end of the conference. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India-Bangladesh border talks to begin in Delhi from Sunday

Ties between India and Bangladesh are in a so-called "golden phase" with New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years&nbsp;bolstering their relations by signing several agreements in the fields of technology, trade, and infrastructure, among others. As India takes over the presidency of the G20 forum from Indonesia, the nation has also extended an invitation to Bangladesh, a non-member state — making it the only country in South Asia to participate in the 2023 summit in New Delhi.

In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Bangladesh's state minister of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam said that the bond shared by New Delhi and Dhaka, their leaders "Prime Minister Sheikh&nbsp;Hasina&nbsp;and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unparalleled, incomparable to any other achievements that bilateral neighbouring countries have&nbsp;made despite having some issues."

Speaking to WION on the sidelines of the sixth Indian Ocean Conference 2023 in Dhaka, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs commented on Bangladesh's ties with India vs China, how important the G20 summit invitation is, and more.

<h2>The ‘golden phase’ of the India-Bangladesh relationship and the challenges</h2>

When asked about the challenges faced by the bilateral ties between New Delhi and Dhaka, Alam said that while "neighbours will always come with challenges," the two nations share an unparalleled historical past and bond.

He said that there exists a "proper platform to discuss," the challenges, but that the "achievements have superseded much compared to the challenges."

"The takeaway from the relationship, especially (in the) last 10 years, is humongous," he added.

<h2>India-Bangladesh ties vs Bangladesh-China relations</h2>

When asked about the constant India vs China debate and which nation would Dhaka favour if it had to choose, the minister said that he believes it isn't a question about favouring, instead he said it is a bilateral issue.

Alam said that India and China are the two major economies his nation has trade imbalances with.

He said that "China is a friend to Bangladesh," in the nation's "developmental journey" and that Beijing has "achieved a lot in engineering, in commercial power, in bringing in raw materials."

According to Alam, Bangladesh is utilising imports&nbsp;from both India and China and "converting them into value-added products," due to which the nation has "reached a $50 billion-plus exports."

However, he added that while China is a friend, Bangladesh's "with India is at a different level because of the history."

Watch the interview here:

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<h2>Bangladesh at the 2023 G20 Summit</h2>

Reiterating his gratitude to India for the invitation to the important summit, Alam said that Bangladesh's status as the only South Asian country invited goes to show "the respect in the relationship and the potential that Bangladesh can bring in the experience and stories" to the G20 table.

He added that it "goes on to inform the other nineteen (G20) members" of what Bangladesh has to offer, and would also help make sure that "countries in this other region and also LDC countries (least developed countries) are not forgotten."

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Ties between India and Bangladesh are in a so-called "golden phase" with New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years bolstering their relations by signing several agreements in the fields of technology, trade, and infrastructure, among others.

Ties between India and Bangladesh are in a so-called "golden phase" with New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years bolstering their relations by signing several agreements in the fields of technology, trade, and infrastructure, among others. As India takes over the presidency of the G20 forum from Indonesia, the nation has also extended an invitation to Bangladesh, a non-member state — making it the only country in South Asia to participate in the 2023 summit in New Delhi. In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Bangladesh's state minister of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam said that the bond shared by New Delhi and Dhaka, their leaders "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unparalleled, incomparable to any other achievements that bilateral neighbouring countries have made despite having some issues." Speaking to WION on the sidelines of the sixth Indian Ocean Conference 2023 in Dhaka, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs commented on Bangladesh's ties with India vs China, how important the G20 summit invitation is, and more. The ‘golden phase’ of the India-Bangladesh relationship and the challenges When asked about the challenges faced by the bilateral ties between New Delhi and Dhaka, Alam said that while "neighbours will always come with challenges," the two nations share an unparalleled historical past and bond. He said that there exists a "proper platform to discuss," the challenges, but that the "achievements have superseded much compared to the challenges." "The takeaway from the relationship, especially (in the) last 10 years, is humongous," he added. India-Bangladesh ties vs Bangladesh-China relations When asked about the constant India vs China debate and which nation would Dhaka favour if it had to choose, the minister said that he believes it isn't a question about favouring, instead he said it is a bilateral issue. Alam said that India and China are the two major economies his nation has trade imbalances with. He said that "China is a friend to Bangladesh," in the nation's "developmental journey" and that Beijing has "achieved a lot in engineering, in commercial power, in bringing in raw materials." According to Alam, Bangladesh is utilising imports from both India and China and "converting them into value-added products," due to which the nation has "reached a $50 billion-plus exports." However, he added that while China is a friend, Bangladesh's "with India is at a different level because of the history." Watch the interview here: Bangladesh at the 2023 G20 Summit Reiterating his gratitude to India for the invitation to the important summit, Alam said that Bangladesh's status as the only South Asian country invited goes to show "the respect in the relationship and the potential that Bangladesh can bring in the experience and stories" to the G20 table. He added that it "goes on to inform the other nineteen (G20) members" of what Bangladesh has to offer, and would also help make sure that "countries in this other region and also LDC countries (least developed countries) are not forgotten." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Exclusive | China ‘a friend’ but ties with India ‘at different level’: Bangladesh MoS Foreign Affairs

Bangladesh foreign minister (FM) AK Abdul Momen will be on a Delhi visit next week for the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting.&nbsp;The JCC is expected to happen on or around 18th June.&nbsp;The meet will be co-chaired by both the foreign ministers and focus on issues like connectivity, post-Covid issues, etc.

Last month the Bangladeshi foreign minister&nbsp;was in the North-eastern state of Assam's Guwahati for the Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) Asian Confluence River Conclave 2022 which was inaugurated by EAM Jaishankar. In Guwahati, during EAM Jaishankar &amp; FM Momen's meet, the latter had sought suggestions to import crude oil from Russia without the worry over sanctions.

New Delhi has invested a lot in its relationship with Dhaka, which both sides have been eager to point out as the "golden era" or "Sonali Adhyay" in ties. EAM Jaishankar was in Dhaka in April, as last year both Indian president and&nbsp;prime ministers were in the country despite the Covid crisis to attend the 50 years of diplomatic relation of Bangladesh, while also commemorating the birth centenary of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Later this year Bangladesh PM Hasina is expected to be in Delhi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/eam-s-jaishankar-meets-counterparts-from-bangladesh-south-korea-czech-republic-and-eu-in-paris-455276">Also read |&nbsp;EAM S Jaishankar meets counterparts from Bangladesh, South Korea, Czech Republic and EU in Paris</a>

One of the key pillars in the relationship has been connectivity. Both India and Bangladesh aim to revive all pre-1965 rail links. As of now, five links connecting West Bengal with Bangladesh have been made operational which include Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) - Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India) Rohanpur (Bangladesh), Radhikapur (India) - Birol (Bangladesh) with Haldibari-Chilahati forming the 5th such link.

Inside Bangladesh, India is collaborating on a series of road projects, including improving the Ashuganj River Port-Akhaura Land Port Road under an LoC of more than US$ 400 million. The road project connecting Baruerhat to Ramgarh on the India-Bangladesh border, which will increase Tripura’s Road connectivity with Bangladesh. Negotiations are also underway to operationalise the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to ensure seamless vehicular movement. 
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Bangladesh foreign minister (FM) AK Abdul Momen will be on a Delhi visit next week for the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting. The JCC is expected to happen on or around 18th June.

Bangladesh foreign minister (FM) AK Abdul Momen will be on a Delhi visit next week for the Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting. The JCC is expected to happen on or around 18th June. The meet will be co-chaired by both the foreign ministers and focus on issues like connectivity, post-Covid issues, etc. Last month the Bangladeshi foreign minister was in the North-eastern state of Assam's Guwahati for the Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence (NADI) Asian Confluence River Conclave 2022 which was inaugurated by EAM Jaishankar. In Guwahati, during EAM Jaishankar & FM Momen's meet, the latter had sought suggestions to import crude oil from Russia without the worry over sanctions. New Delhi has invested a lot in its relationship with Dhaka, which both sides have been eager to point out as the "golden era" or "Sonali Adhyay" in ties. EAM Jaishankar was in Dhaka in April, as last year both Indian president and prime ministers were in the country despite the Covid crisis to attend the 50 years of diplomatic relation of Bangladesh, while also commemorating the birth centenary of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Later this year Bangladesh PM Hasina is expected to be in Delhi. Also read | EAM S Jaishankar meets counterparts from Bangladesh, South Korea, Czech Republic and EU in Paris One of the key pillars in the relationship has been connectivity. Both India and Bangladesh aim to revive all pre-1965 rail links. As of now, five links connecting West Bengal with Bangladesh have been made operational which include Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) - Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India) Rohanpur (Bangladesh), Radhikapur (India) - Birol (Bangladesh) with Haldibari-Chilahati forming the 5th such link. Inside Bangladesh, India is collaborating on a series of road projects, including improving the Ashuganj River Port-Akhaura Land Port Road under an LoC of more than US$ 400 million. The road project connecting Baruerhat to Ramgarh on the India-Bangladesh border, which will increase Tripura’s Road connectivity with Bangladesh. Negotiations are also underway to operationalise the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to ensure seamless vehicular movement. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Delhi visit next week

Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi for the evacuation of Bangladeshi nationals from Ukraine's besieged city of Sumy.

Earlier this month, in a&nbsp;​carefully planned operation India was able to evacuate over 500 of its students. Along with the Indian students convey several Bangladeshi nationals &amp; one Pakistani national came out of the city.

In the letter on March 15, PM Hasina said, "I write to express my sincere thanks to you and your government for extending support and assistance in rescuing and evacuating some Bangladeshi nationals along with the Indians who were stranded in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine".

22500 Indian nationals have left Ukraine and reached home&nbsp;amid the deteriorating situation in the eastern European country. Russia invaded the country on February 24, following with India launched "Operation Ganga" to bring its citizens.

PM Hasina in her letter called the "wholehearted cooperation" during the Ukraine crisis by the Indian government has been a "testament to the unique and enduring relationship that our two countries have been enjoying over the years."

Sumy evacuation was the most challenging of all the operations&nbsp;given it required humanitarian corridors and cooperation from both Russia and Ukraine.

Indian mission in Ukraine had dispatched a special team of senior officers to the vicinity of Sumy and with coordination of military forces deployed there and the Red Cross to ensure a safe evacuation. India was able to evacuate 147 foreign nationals from 18 countries in the evacuation operation.

In the letter, PM Hasina recalled PM Modi's visit to her country last year&nbsp;for the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangladesh's father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.&nbsp;

She pointed out that bilateral ties have been "further consolidated through meaningful engagements at all levels over the past years" and she is "confident that both Bangladesh and India would continue to stand by each other in all the time and work together to realize the collective aspirations of the peoples of the two countries".

Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi for the evacuation of Bangladeshi nationals from Ukraine's besieged city of Sumy.

Bangladesh Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has thanked Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi for the evacuation of Bangladeshi nationals from Ukraine's besieged city of Sumy. Earlier this month, in a carefully planned operation India was able to evacuate over 500 of its students. Along with the Indian students convey several Bangladeshi nationals & one Pakistani national came out of the city. In the letter on March 15, PM Hasina said, "I write to express my sincere thanks to you and your government for extending support and assistance in rescuing and evacuating some Bangladeshi nationals along with the Indians who were stranded in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine". 22500 Indian nationals have left Ukraine and reached home amid the deteriorating situation in the eastern European country. Russia invaded the country on February 24, following with India launched "Operation Ganga" to bring its citizens. PM Hasina in her letter called the "wholehearted cooperation" during the Ukraine crisis by the Indian government has been a "testament to the unique and enduring relationship that our two countries have been enjoying over the years." Sumy evacuation was the most challenging of all the operations given it required humanitarian corridors and cooperation from both Russia and Ukraine. Indian mission in Ukraine had dispatched a special team of senior officers to the vicinity of Sumy and with coordination of military forces deployed there and the Red Cross to ensure a safe evacuation. India was able to evacuate 147 foreign nationals from 18 countries in the evacuation operation. In the letter, PM Hasina recalled PM Modi's visit to her country last year for the celebration of the birth centenary of Bangladesh's father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She pointed out that bilateral ties have been "further consolidated through meaningful engagements at all levels over the past years" and she is "confident that both Bangladesh and India would continue to stand by each other in all the time and work together to realize the collective aspirations of the peoples of the two countries".

Bangladesh PM thanks PM Modi for evacuation of its nationals from Ukraine's Sumy

India and its neighbouring country Bangladesh&nbsp;have a history forged in the battlefield.

The two countries&nbsp;share a border, dozens of rivers and&nbsp;most importantly,&nbsp;a common culture.

The key role played by India in the&nbsp;birth of Bangladesh cannot be overlooked&nbsp;and since then, despite roadblocks, the two countries have maintained close relations.

Here's a round-up of the bilateral ties between the two countries&nbsp;from inception to the present day:

Long before colonial cartographers chalked up South Asia,&nbsp;India and Bangladesh shared a common land.

In 1947, the country currently known as Bangladesh was called East Pakistan.

After 20 years of hardship, there were rumours of dissent that East Pakistan wanted independence.

The Indian army was welcomed as liberators in Dhaka.&nbsp;They had turned the tide against West Pakistani forces. They fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladeshi freedom fighters. This joint campaign remains the cornerstone of bilateral ties after 50 years.

The next year,&nbsp;in 1972,&nbsp;Indira Gandhi visited Dhaka.&nbsp;The Indo-Bangladesh treaty of friendship, cooperation and peace was signed. Although the&nbsp;two sides looked set for bigger things, Mujibur Rahman's assassination in 1975 acted as&nbsp;a turning point.

The army took control and&nbsp;steered&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;towards majoritarian politics. In 1991, democracy returned in the country along with warmer ties with India.

In 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited New Delhi signalling&nbsp;a decade of booming relations.

According to a 2014 PEW&nbsp;survey,&nbsp;70 per cent of Bangladeshis have a favourable opinion of India. However, the&nbsp;ties have gone from symbolism to substance recently.&nbsp;It was a natural progression.

The&nbsp;two countries share a 4096-kilometre border and 54 rivers.&nbsp;

In 2015,&nbsp;India and Bangladesh signed the land border agreement. Both sides promised to exchange border enclaves. Thus settling a decades-long border confusion.

They set up a&nbsp;joint rivers commission&nbsp;in 1972.&nbsp;Both sides seldom agree on water-sharing. But the conflict remains inside the commission. In 1996,&nbsp;they signed a 30-year treaty on sharing water from the Ganga.

Bangladesh is currently India's biggest trade partner in the South Asian region.&nbsp;To strengthen and encourage Bangladesh's trade and commerce, India has given several concessions to Dhaka, including duty-free access to Bangladeshi products into the Indian markets.

New Delhi is also working continually to reduce Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB). To encourage trade, India is developing the Integrated Check Post in 10 border crossing points to lower NTBs, according to Observer Research Foundation. New Delhi's attempts to boost trade with Bangladesh saw fruitful results, as in 2019 Bangladesh's exports to India witnessed an increase of 43 per cent from the previous year.

Both countries are members of SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Commonwealth.

Recently, Bangladesh&nbsp;backed India's election to the UN Security Council. The armed forces from both sides regularly conduct joint drills like exercise Sampriti and Milan.

India has extended its hand of friendship whenever Bangladesh faced crises. During the coronavirus crisis, India provided medical training to Bangladeshi professionals, test kits and medicines, besides the dispatch of vaccine consignments.&nbsp;New Delhi gifted 2 million doses of the COVID&nbsp;vaccines to Dhaka,

The&nbsp;Teesta River is a point of contention for the two countries. While&nbsp;India claims 55 per cent&nbsp;of the river's waters, Bangladesh is unhappy with its share.

The Teesta river originates in Sikkim, flows through the northern parts of West Bengal, before entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra river.

The flow of the river is crucial for Bangladesh from December to March during which the country requires 50 per cent of the river's water supply.

Hundreds of illegal&nbsp;migrants&nbsp;cross the porous border&nbsp;putting economic pressure on India.&nbsp;New Delhi's plan to document illegal migrants and deport them&nbsp;is viewed with concern in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's participation in the China-led belt and road initiative is a cause of concern for India due to the&nbsp;growing closeness between a key ally and a strategic rival.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with his Bangladesh counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, when all issues related to bilateral concerns are expected to be discussed, according to Bangladesh foreign ministry officials.

India and its neighbouring country Bangladesh have a history forged in the battlefield. The two countries share a border, dozens of rivers and most importantly, a common culture.

India and its neighbouring country Bangladesh have a history forged in the battlefield. The two countries share a border, dozens of rivers and most importantly, a common culture. The key role played by India in the birth of Bangladesh cannot be overlooked and since then, despite roadblocks, the two countries have maintained close relations. Here's a round-up of the bilateral ties between the two countries from inception to the present day: Long before colonial cartographers chalked up South Asia, India and Bangladesh shared a common land. In 1947, the country currently known as Bangladesh was called East Pakistan. After 20 years of hardship, there were rumours of dissent that East Pakistan wanted independence. The Indian army was welcomed as liberators in Dhaka. They had turned the tide against West Pakistani forces. They fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Bangladeshi freedom fighters. This joint campaign remains the cornerstone of bilateral ties after 50 years. The next year, in 1972, Indira Gandhi visited Dhaka. The Indo-Bangladesh treaty of friendship, cooperation and peace was signed. Although the two sides looked set for bigger things, Mujibur Rahman's assassination in 1975 acted as a turning point. The army took control and steered Bangladesh towards majoritarian politics. In 1991, democracy returned in the country along with warmer ties with India. In 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited New Delhi signalling a decade of booming relations. According to a 2014 PEW survey, 70 per cent of Bangladeshis have a favourable opinion of India. However, the ties have gone from symbolism to substance recently. It was a natural progression. The two countries share a 4096-kilometre border and 54 rivers. In 2015, India and Bangladesh signed the land border agreement. Both sides promised to exchange border enclaves. Thus settling a decades-long border confusion. They set up a joint rivers commission in 1972. Both sides seldom agree on water-sharing. But the conflict remains inside the commission. In 1996, they signed a 30-year treaty on sharing water from the Ganga. Bangladesh is currently India's biggest trade partner in the South Asian region. To strengthen and encourage Bangladesh's trade and commerce, India has given several concessions to Dhaka, including duty-free access to Bangladeshi products into the Indian markets. New Delhi is also working continually to reduce Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB). To encourage trade, India is developing the Integrated Check Post in 10 border crossing points to lower NTBs, according to Observer Research Foundation. New Delhi's attempts to boost trade with Bangladesh saw fruitful results, as in 2019 Bangladesh's exports to India witnessed an increase of 43 per cent from the previous year. Both countries are members of SAARC, BIMSTEC, the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Commonwealth. Recently, Bangladesh backed India's election to the UN Security Council. The armed forces from both sides regularly conduct joint drills like exercise Sampriti and Milan. India has extended its hand of friendship whenever Bangladesh faced crises. During the coronavirus crisis, India provided medical training to Bangladeshi professionals, test kits and medicines, besides the dispatch of vaccine consignments. New Delhi gifted 2 million doses of the COVID vaccines to Dhaka, The Teesta River is a point of contention for the two countries. While India claims 55 per cent of the river's waters, Bangladesh is unhappy with its share. The Teesta river originates in Sikkim, flows through the northern parts of West Bengal, before entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra river. The flow of the river is crucial for Bangladesh from December to March during which the country requires 50 per cent of the river's water supply. Hundreds of illegal migrants cross the porous border putting economic pressure on India. New Delhi's plan to document illegal migrants and deport them is viewed with concern in Dhaka. Bangladesh's participation in the China-led belt and road initiative is a cause of concern for India due to the growing closeness between a key ally and a strategic rival. On Saturday, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with his Bangladesh counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, when all issues related to bilateral concerns are expected to be discussed, according to Bangladesh foreign ministry officials.

India-Bangladesh ties: A warm friendship despite turbulence

Back in June 2014, the late Sushma Swaraj steered the diplomatic relations of India with its friendly neighbour on to an unfamiliar but familial road: the saree route.

It was her first standalone overseas visit after taking office as India's external affairs minister, and Swaraj, known for her knack of outwitting her opponents by sheer grace, and presence of mind, overwhelmed Bangladesh and its premier with the Indian warmth.

Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, departed from protocol on June 26, 2014, and received Swaraj at the reception of her office. She hugged Swaraj and warmly greeted her.

Swaraj then presented an off-white saree to Hasina that she herself had chosen for her -- the start of sisterhood between two fierce and strong women.

Hasina reciprocated the gesture and gifted the famous Jamdani saree to Swaraj.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/happy-my-first-foreign-visit-after-covid-onset-is-to-friendly-neighbour-bangladesh-pm-modi-373192" hreflang="en">Happy my first foreign visit after COVID onset is to friendly neighbour Bangladesh: PM Modi</a>

This had come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shawl diplomacy -- wherein after his swearing-in ceremony in May, he gifted a shawl to the then prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, an invitee at the event. In a reciprocal gesture, Sharif gifted a saree to Modi for his mother.

<h6><img alt="aa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ded63a6-1ff9-4b21-bf08-c11bb852a2c7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/oof%20%282%29_1.jpg" /> 
Image: Twitter</h6>

The 'saree diplomacy' -- as many term it -- however, bore a deeper significance for&nbsp; India and Bangladesh. It established the contribution of women into strengthening of diplomatic relations besides cementing bilateral ties.

The 'saree diplomacy' was furthered on the second day of Swaraj's visit when she was presented with two Jamdani sarees by Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and the chairperson of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/delighted-that-pm-of-biggest-democracy-is-joining-our-independence-celebration-bangladesh-fm-373221" hreflang="en">Delighted that PM of biggest democracy is joining our independence celebration: Bangladesh FM</a>

"Madam Zia brought with her two Jamdani sarees as she called on the Indian external affairs minister – one was for Sushma Swaraj and another for her daughter," Zia's press secretary Maruf Kamal Sohel had said at the time.

Sheikh Hasina had then already made the right noises by asking Modi to consider Bangladesh as his second home. But the 'saree diplomacy' revolutionised the New Delhi-Dhaka relationship.

Sushma Swaraj had then described her three-day visit to Bangladesh as very "fruitful and successful".

Swaraj also handed over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s letter to Hasina in which the Indian PM thanked his Bangladeshi counterpart for her felicitations and expressed his desire to work together to ”ignite collective surge to prosperity” in South Asia.

Besides meeting Hasina, Swaraj held wide-ranging discussions with her Bangladeshi counterpart AH Mahmood Ali. Her last engagement in Dhaka was a 45-minute meeting with Raushan Ershad of Jatiya Party, who was also the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.

A talking point for Swaraj was India’s decision to relax visa norms for minors and senior citizens, and to supply to additional 100 MW power from Tripura.

Two other issues on the table were the Land Border Agreement, which had then been vetoed by the Assam government as well as the local Assamese unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the proposed Teesta water sharing agreement that had been vetoed by the then Mamata Banerjee-government in West Bengal.

Increase in the frequency of Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express and introduction of a bus service on the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati route also figured in the talks.

Sushma Swaraj rounded off her two-day visit to Dhaka with a prayer at the Dhakeswari National Temple.

Coinciding with Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Bangladesh, border guards of the two countries met near Siliguri on June 25, 2014 and started their three-day long border coordination conference.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-bangladesh-relations-a-robust-history-and-optimistic-future-372759" hreflang="en">India-Bangladesh relations: A robust history and optimistic future</a>

The 'saree diplomacy' of June, 2014 set the stage for more heart-to-heart talks between India and Bangladesh -- the most recent and the most anticipated one being Indian PM Modi's 2021 visit to Bangladesh.

Modi -- now in his second term as India's premier -- is visiting Bangladesh on March 26 and 27 on the invitation of Bangladesh PM Hasina. He will participate in the Bangladesh National Day celebrations on Friday.

The two prime ministers also held a virtual summit on December 17, 2020 -- in which Modi said Bangladesh was a key pillar of New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, while Hasina described India as a "true friend".

The two countries also inked seven agreements to further broadbase cooperation in a plethora of sectors, and restored a cross-border rail link snapped by the 1965 war with Pakistan.

(with inputs from agencies)

Back in June 2014, the late Sushma Swaraj steered the diplomatic relations of India with its friendly neighbour on to an unfamiliar but familial road: the saree route.

Back in June 2014, the late Sushma Swaraj steered the diplomatic relations of India with its friendly neighbour on to an unfamiliar but familial road: the saree route. It was her first standalone overseas visit after taking office as India's external affairs minister, and Swaraj, known for her knack of outwitting her opponents by sheer grace, and presence of mind, overwhelmed Bangladesh and its premier with the Indian warmth. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, departed from protocol on June 26, 2014, and received Swaraj at the reception of her office. She hugged Swaraj and warmly greeted her. Swaraj then presented an off-white saree to Hasina that she herself had chosen for her -- the start of sisterhood between two fierce and strong women. Hasina reciprocated the gesture and gifted the famous Jamdani saree to Swaraj. Also read: Happy my first foreign visit after COVID onset is to friendly neighbour Bangladesh: PM Modi This had come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shawl diplomacy -- wherein after his swearing-in ceremony in May, he gifted a shawl to the then prime minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, an invitee at the event. In a reciprocal gesture, Sharif gifted a saree to Modi for his mother. Image: Twitter The 'saree diplomacy' -- as many term it -- however, bore a deeper significance for India and Bangladesh. It established the contribution of women into strengthening of diplomatic relations besides cementing bilateral ties. The 'saree diplomacy' was furthered on the second day of Swaraj's visit when she was presented with two Jamdani sarees by Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and the chairperson of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Also read: Delighted that PM of biggest democracy is joining our independence celebration: Bangladesh FM "Madam Zia brought with her two Jamdani sarees as she called on the Indian external affairs minister – one was for Sushma Swaraj and another for her daughter," Zia's press secretary Maruf Kamal Sohel had said at the time. Sheikh Hasina had then already made the right noises by asking Modi to consider Bangladesh as his second home. But the 'saree diplomacy' revolutionised the New Delhi-Dhaka relationship. Sushma Swaraj had then described her three-day visit to Bangladesh as very "fruitful and successful". Swaraj also handed over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s letter to Hasina in which the Indian PM thanked his Bangladeshi counterpart for her felicitations and expressed his desire to work together to ”ignite collective surge to prosperity” in South Asia. Besides meeting Hasina, Swaraj held wide-ranging discussions with her Bangladeshi counterpart AH Mahmood Ali. Her last engagement in Dhaka was a 45-minute meeting with Raushan Ershad of Jatiya Party, who was also the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. A talking point for Swaraj was India’s decision to relax visa norms for minors and senior citizens, and to supply to additional 100 MW power from Tripura. Two other issues on the table were the Land Border Agreement, which had then been vetoed by the Assam government as well as the local Assamese unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the proposed Teesta water sharing agreement that had been vetoed by the then Mamata Banerjee-government in West Bengal. Increase in the frequency of Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express and introduction of a bus service on the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati route also figured in the talks. Sushma Swaraj rounded off her two-day visit to Dhaka with a prayer at the Dhakeswari National Temple. Coinciding with Sushma Swaraj’s visit to Bangladesh, border guards of the two countries met near Siliguri on June 25, 2014 and started their three-day long border coordination conference. Also read: India-Bangladesh relations: A robust history and optimistic future The 'saree diplomacy' of June, 2014 set the stage for more heart-to-heart talks between India and Bangladesh -- the most recent and the most anticipated one being Indian PM Modi's 2021 visit to Bangladesh. Modi -- now in his second term as India's premier -- is visiting Bangladesh on March 26 and 27 on the invitation of Bangladesh PM Hasina. He will participate in the Bangladesh National Day celebrations on Friday. The two prime ministers also held a virtual summit on December 17, 2020 -- in which Modi said Bangladesh was a key pillar of New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, while Hasina described India as a "true friend". The two countries also inked seven agreements to further broadbase cooperation in a plethora of sectors, and restored a cross-border rail link snapped by the 1965 war with Pakistan. (with inputs from agencies)

When India-Bangladesh diplomacy took the saree route

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he will hold "substantive discussions" with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during his two-day visit to Bangladesh, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties.

Modi said he will be visiting Bangladesh on March 26-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hasina, and looks forward to his participation at the Bangladesh National Day celebrations on Friday.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-bangladesh-relations-a-robust-history-and-optimistic-future-372759" hreflang="en">India-Bangladesh relations: A robust history and optimistic future</a>

In his departure statement, he said, "I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties."

Noting that Bangladesh's National Day celebrations on Friday will commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Modi said 'Bangabandhu' was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions.

"I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu's Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory," the prime minister said.

Modi said he also looks forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/range-of-pacts-to-be-inked-during-pm-modis-bangladesh-visit-foreign-secretary-shringla-372943" hreflang="en">Range of pacts to be inked during PM Modi's Bangladesh visit: Foreign Secretary Shringla</a>

The prime minister said he is looking forward to his interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichand Thakur disseminated his pious message, Modi said.

"I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries," Modi said.

"My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh's remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visionary leadership, but also to commit India's abiding support for these achievements," he said.

Modi said during his visit he will also express India's support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against COVID-19.

"As I leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, I look forward to remembering the life and ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh's War of Liberation, as well as our diplomatic ties," Modi tweeted.

"Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," he said.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, while briefing reporters on the PM's visit to Bangladesh, had said on Wednesday that a range of pacts will be signed and new announcements for bolstering cooperation in several areas will be made during the two-day visit.

Modi's visit is taking place at a time Bangladesh is commemorating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the country's War of Liberation. The two countries are also celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

The two prime ministers held a virtual summit on December 17 during which Modi said Bangladesh is a key pillar of New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, while Hasina described India as a "true friend" and asserted that both countries could play a significant role in the global and regional value chains by further integrating their economies as well as boosting connectivity.

During that summit, the two countries had inked seven agreements to further broadbase cooperation in a plethora of sectors, and restored a cross-border rail link snapped by the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he will hold "substantive discussions" with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during his two-day visit to Bangladesh, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he will hold "substantive discussions" with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during his two-day visit to Bangladesh, as he expressed happiness that his first foreign tour after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic will be to a friendly neighbouring country with which India shares deep ties. Modi said he will be visiting Bangladesh on March 26-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hasina, and looks forward to his participation at the Bangladesh National Day celebrations on Friday. Also read| India-Bangladesh relations: A robust history and optimistic future In his departure statement, he said, "I am happy that my first foreign visit after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic will be to our friendly neighbouring country, with which India shares deep cultural, linguistic and people-to-people ties." Noting that Bangladesh's National Day celebrations on Friday will commemorate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Modi said 'Bangabandhu' was one of the tallest leaders of the last century, whose life and ideals continue to inspire millions. "I look forward to visiting Bangabandhu's Samadhi in Tungipara to pay my respects to his memory," the prime minister said. Modi said he also looks forward to offering prayers to Goddess Kali at the ancient Jashoreshwari Kali Temple, one of the 51 Shaktipeeths in the Puranic tradition. Also read| Range of pacts to be inked during PM Modi's Bangladesh visit: Foreign Secretary Shringla The prime minister said he is looking forward to his interaction with representatives of the Matua community at Orakandi, from where Sri Sri Harichand Thakur disseminated his pious message, Modi said. "I will be having substantive discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following our very productive virtual meeting in December last year. I also look forward to my meeting with President Abdul Hamid, and to interactions with other Bangladeshi dignitaries," Modi said. "My visit will not only be an occasion to convey appreciation for Bangladesh's remarkable economic and developmental strides under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visionary leadership, but also to commit India's abiding support for these achievements," he said. Modi said during his visit he will also express India's support and solidarity for Bangladesh's fight against COVID-19. "As I leave for Bangladesh tomorrow, I look forward to remembering the life and ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and celebrate 50 years of Bangladesh's War of Liberation, as well as our diplomatic ties," Modi tweeted. "Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh's remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership," he said. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, while briefing reporters on the PM's visit to Bangladesh, had said on Wednesday that a range of pacts will be signed and new announcements for bolstering cooperation in several areas will be made during the two-day visit. Modi's visit is taking place at a time Bangladesh is commemorating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of the country's War of Liberation. The two countries are also celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic ties. The two prime ministers held a virtual summit on December 17 during which Modi said Bangladesh is a key pillar of New Delhi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, while Hasina described India as a "true friend" and asserted that both countries could play a significant role in the global and regional value chains by further integrating their economies as well as boosting connectivity. During that summit, the two countries had inked seven agreements to further broadbase cooperation in a plethora of sectors, and restored a cross-border rail link snapped by the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Happy my first foreign visit after COVID onset is to friendly neighbour Bangladesh: PM Modi

Ahead of his Dhaka visit later this week, the Indian Prime Minister has called Bangladesh's father of nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as "one of the greatest leaders of our subcontinent".&nbsp;

In a tweet, PM Modi said, "He remains an icon of indomitable courage and the tireless struggle for his millions of admirers."

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Bangabandhu's vision continues to light the India-Bangladesh friendship. I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit and will again pay homage to him, alongside PM Hasina, during the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MujibBorsho?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MujibBorsho</a> celebrations. <a href="https://t.co/5rFPCnlpVy">https://t.co/5rFPCnlpVy</a> <a href="https://t.co/iS2wjPLIdo">pic.twitter.com/iS2wjPLIdo</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1374006072675995652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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During&nbsp;his two-day visit to Bangladesh, PM Modi will&nbsp;visit&nbsp;the&nbsp;Tungipara village of Gopalganj District to pay homage at his mausoleum. Tungipara is the birthplace of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladeshs-founding-leader-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-conferred-gandhi-peace-prize-372315" hreflang="en">Bangladesh's Sheikh Mujibur Rahman conferred Gandhi Peace Prize</a>

He will also inaugurate the Bangabandhu Bapu digital exhibition during his visit. Bangladesh is celebrating Mujib Barsho from 2020-21, the centennial birth anniversary of Bangabandhu.&nbsp;

This comes even as India conferred the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2020 on Bangabandhu. The Indian government in a release said, "The Gandhi Peace Prize recognizes the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in inspiring the liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability to a nation born out of strife, laying the foundation for the close and fraternal relations between India and Bangladesh, and promoting peace and non-violence in the Indian subcontinent."

Bangladesh government was quick to express its "deep gratitude" to New Delhi's decision to confer the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 to Bangabandhu. 
&nbsp; 
The Bangladeshi foreign ministry in a statement said, "award is also a befitting tribute to the ever-deepening Bangladesh-India relations in a year when both countries are jointly celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence, 50 years of diplomatic relations and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu".

Award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque andan exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item. The award instituted in 1995 has been in the past conferred on Late Dr. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Ramakrishna Mission, Baba Amte.

Ahead of his Dhaka visit later this week, the Indian Prime Minister has called Bangladesh's father of nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as "one of the greatest leaders of our subcontinent".

Ahead of his Dhaka visit later this week, the Indian Prime Minister has called Bangladesh's father of nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as "one of the greatest leaders of our subcontinent". In a tweet, PM Modi said, "He remains an icon of indomitable courage and the tireless struggle for his millions of admirers." Bangabandhu's vision continues to light the India-Bangladesh friendship. I had the privilege of honouring his memory during my previous Bangladesh visit and will again pay homage to him, alongside PM Hasina, during the #MujibBorsho celebrations. https://t.co/5rFPCnlpVy pic.twitter.com/iS2wjPLIdo — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2021 × During his two-day visit to Bangladesh, PM Modi will visit the Tungipara village of Gopalganj District to pay homage at his mausoleum. Tungipara is the birthplace of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Also read| Bangladesh's Sheikh Mujibur Rahman conferred Gandhi Peace Prize He will also inaugurate the Bangabandhu Bapu digital exhibition during his visit. Bangladesh is celebrating Mujib Barsho from 2020-21, the centennial birth anniversary of Bangabandhu. This comes even as India conferred the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2020 on Bangabandhu. The Indian government in a release said, "The Gandhi Peace Prize recognizes the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in inspiring the liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability to a nation born out of strife, laying the foundation for the close and fraternal relations between India and Bangladesh, and promoting peace and non-violence in the Indian subcontinent." Bangladesh government was quick to express its "deep gratitude" to New Delhi's decision to confer the Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 to Bangabandhu. The Bangladeshi foreign ministry in a statement said, "award is also a befitting tribute to the ever-deepening Bangladesh-India relations in a year when both countries are jointly celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence, 50 years of diplomatic relations and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu". Award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque andan exquisite traditional handicraft/ handloom item. The award instituted in 1995 has been in the past conferred on Late Dr. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, Grameen Bank of Bangladesh, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, Ramakrishna Mission, Baba Amte.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, one of the greatest leaders of subcontinent says PM Modi

Regional trade is below its potential in South Asia, but leaders of India and Bangladesh are building upon strong bilateral ties for economic growth and prosperity. Maitri Setu, or Friendship Bridge, built over the Feni River is a crucial corridor that will facilitate this.

On March 9, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the 1.9-km bridge, which connects the Indian state of Tripura with Bangladesh. The bridge, built over the Feni River that flows between Tripura and Bangladesh, connects Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.

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<h5>The World Bank said that if both the countries sign a Free Trade Agreement, then India’s exports to Bangladesh can shoot up by 126 per cent and improve the latter’s exports by a whopping 182 per cent.</h5>
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During an online event for the inauguration of the bridge, Hasina recalled India's role in Bangladesh's Liberation War. "Fifty years ago, in 1971, India opened up its border for Bangladesh's people to support their freedom struggle. Today, we are building a prosperous region together," she said.

"The Feni Bridge would improve the connectivity to south Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura with Bangladesh and south-east Asia," Modi said, adding that the bridge would give an impetus to the economic opportunities in Bangladesh as well.

Seamless transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase national income by as much as 1l7 per cent in Bangladesh and 8 per cent in India, the World Bank said in a report titled 'Connecting to Thrive: Challenges and Opportunities of Transport Integration in Eastern South Asia'.

The global lending institution said that if both the countries sign a Free Trade Agreement, then India’s exports to Bangladesh can shoot up by 126 per cent and improve the latter’s exports by a whopping 182 per cent.

Today, bilateral trade accounts for only about 10 per cent of Bangladesh’s overall trade and a mere 1 per cent of India’s trade.

Modi said the bridge will give an impetus to the economic opportunity in Bangladesh, besides the northeastern region, and thanked Dhaka for the cooperation in the completion of the project.

Modi said the connectivity is not only strengthening the friendship between India and Bangladesh but also proving to be a strong link of business.

He thanked the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the cooperation in the completion of the bridge project. 
&nbsp; 
"The bridge is poised to herald a new chapter for trade and people to people movement between India and Bangladesh. With this inauguration, Tripura is set to become the 'Gateway of North East' with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is just 80 km from Sabroom," the Prime Minister's Office said in the statement.

According to the World Bank’s India head Junaid Ahmad, "With the eastern sub-region poised to become an 'economic growth pole' for South Asia, it is important for countries to invest in connectivity to achieve this potential."

(With inputs from agencies)

Regional trade is below its potential in South Asia, but leaders of India and Bangladesh are building upon strong bilateral ties for economic growth and prosperity.

Regional trade is below its potential in South Asia, but leaders of India and Bangladesh are building upon strong bilateral ties for economic growth and prosperity. Maitri Setu, or Friendship Bridge, built over the Feni River is a crucial corridor that will facilitate this. On March 9, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the 1.9-km bridge, which connects the Indian state of Tripura with Bangladesh. The bridge, built over the Feni River that flows between Tripura and Bangladesh, connects Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh. The World Bank said that if both the countries sign a Free Trade Agreement, then India’s exports to Bangladesh can shoot up by 126 per cent and improve the latter’s exports by a whopping 182 per cent. × During an online event for the inauguration of the bridge, Hasina recalled India's role in Bangladesh's Liberation War. "Fifty years ago, in 1971, India opened up its border for Bangladesh's people to support their freedom struggle. Today, we are building a prosperous region together," she said. "The Feni Bridge would improve the connectivity to south Assam, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura with Bangladesh and south-east Asia," Modi said, adding that the bridge would give an impetus to the economic opportunities in Bangladesh as well. Seamless transport connectivity between India and Bangladesh has the potential to increase national income by as much as 1l7 per cent in Bangladesh and 8 per cent in India, the World Bank said in a report titled 'Connecting to Thrive: Challenges and Opportunities of Transport Integration in Eastern South Asia'. The global lending institution said that if both the countries sign a Free Trade Agreement, then India’s exports to Bangladesh can shoot up by 126 per cent and improve the latter’s exports by a whopping 182 per cent. Today, bilateral trade accounts for only about 10 per cent of Bangladesh’s overall trade and a mere 1 per cent of India’s trade. Modi said the bridge will give an impetus to the economic opportunity in Bangladesh, besides the northeastern region, and thanked Dhaka for the cooperation in the completion of the project. Modi said the connectivity is not only strengthening the friendship between India and Bangladesh but also proving to be a strong link of business. He thanked the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the cooperation in the completion of the bridge project. "The bridge is poised to herald a new chapter for trade and people to people movement between India and Bangladesh. With this inauguration, Tripura is set to become the 'Gateway of North East' with access to Chittagong Port of Bangladesh, which is just 80 km from Sabroom," the Prime Minister's Office said in the statement. According to the World Bank’s India head Junaid Ahmad, "With the eastern sub-region poised to become an 'economic growth pole' for South Asia, it is important for countries to invest in connectivity to achieve this potential." (With inputs from agencies)

'Gateway to Northeast India': Maitri Setu, a crucial India-Bangladesh trade corridor

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen who was in India for the foreign office consultations has called ties with India "deep and historic".

Speaking to WION's&nbsp;Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Masud lauded India's Vaccine diplomacy, saying, "India has made available not only to Bangladesh but also to other Neighbours, as part of the Neighbourhood first policy of India and we are deeply appreciative of this."

India earlier this month gifted 2 million COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines to Bangladesh. From 20 January 2021 onwards, New Delhi has gifted over 55 lakh doses of vaccines to its 9 countries part of its neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood.

During the foreign office consultations and his meeting with India's External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar, Ambassador Masud also discussed the Rohingya issue. He said, Dhaka is "hopeful, maybe by the second quarter of this year, we can start repatriation (of Rohingya), maybe in small batches". Adding, "It should start and it can start provided Myanmar has the necessary political will."

WION: How were your conversations with the Indian counterpart?

Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: We had a very fruitful discussion with Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and earlier he visited Bangladesh and had a brief conversation with him. This is more of a regular contact at the foreign secretary-level. We discussed a lot of issues, but the meeting was also about the visit of Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh to take part in Independence Day celebrations and also 50th anniversary of ties. This year is very important for us, this year we are celebrating Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth centenary of our father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, silver jubilee of our Independence, and the establishment of ties. India was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh, on 6th December. So we like to have year-long programs, it will start with PM Modi's visit to Bangladesh, but it will not be a one of thing.

Throughout the year we will have joint programmes, in Delhi, In Bangladesh and also in other parts of the world--jointly by our high commissions. So that was something, we shared a tentative programme with my counterpart with PM Modi's proposed visit. We would like to make it a special one. Other than that, we discussed trade and commerce issues, connectivity issues, water issues, border management issues, so we have so many mechanisms between Bangladesh and India. We have, from time to time kept track and coordinated and integrated so that we have results from these interactions. Very soon we will have a home secretary-level meeting, water secretary-level meetings, all these before PM's visit. So hopefully, we will have more concrete developments to report. During PM's visit, we are identifying a few deliverables which would be important for both the countries, mostly connectivity related issues also symbolic. We have Swadhinata Sarak road between the first place where our govt in exile was sworn in, its in Meherpur. A small patch has been prepared before the summit.

WION: How do you see India's covid vaccine diplomacy?

Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: From early days we are cooperating, and PM Modi convened the SAARC summit level meet digitally to discuss covid cooperation and time to time we have received valuable supplies. Now we have a new chapter of vaccine cooperation and India has made available not only to Bangladesh but also to other Neighbours, as part of the Neighbourhood first policy of India and we are deeply appreciative of this. 2 million vaccines India has made available to Bangladesh. The administering of which has already begun in Dhaka but will also spread to other cities.

We have also purchased 30 million from Serum Institute and some of it has already arrived and we are expecting rest of it to come in phases so that sequencing is done in a manner so that the first shots, 2nd shot get in time. Also, the shelf life of this vaccine has to be taken into consideration. The next stage is India's own Bharat biotech. they have also offered Bangladesh to have some 3rd stage of human trial which is under process in Bangladesh. We are also looking at co-production. Some of our pharma companies, they are capable to handle production as well. Thereby joint initiative can help us and help out other countries in Africa, Latin America. As far as Bangladesh is concerned, we are happy to start vaccination in Bangladesh. India, Bangladesh, Nepal the prevalence of covid is coming down, that is good news. May be by march or April we will win over the crisis if new strain doesn't come.

WION: Bangladesh-India Ties going through "golden age", but how do you see ties between Bangladesh and China?

Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: Our ties with Bejing are mostly economic and we import from China billions of dollars of worth of goods, which is true for many countries. India used to import from China but during COVID, we have seen interruption of supply chain and it has given us the realisation that countries in the neighbourhood should cooperate more, in terms of helping each other, enhancing trade relations. thereby, China is helping us economically and we have some big projects which are currently done through Chinese contractors. therefore, I don't see, our relations with China should have any serious implications for our very deep and historic relationship with India. We should not compare the two.

WION: If you can update us on the Rohingya crisis?

Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: This is a major problem for us. You have seen it personally, both in Cox's Bazar and now we are relocating some of them in Bhashan char island. This is a temporary solution because Bangladesh landmass size is a very small country. 1.1 million Rohingya in a small place like Cox's Bazar fraught with all sorts of challenges and risks. We would like to see the early resolution of the crisis and only permanent solution is if these people can go back from where they came, that is the Rakhine province of Myanmar.

We have restarted our discussion with Myanmar with the help of China though a trilateral arrangement. We are hopeful, maybe by the second quarter of this year, we can start repatriation, maybe in small batches. It should start and it can start provided Myanmar has the necessary political will. Once these people are identified, verified and ready to cross over to Myanmar, India and countries like Japan, who have good relations with Myanmar can really help. I raised the issue with my counterpart and also EAM Jaishankar, they promised, they already working towards that and when the time comes, they will be more active, especially, another side of the border to ensure safety security and ensure the sustainable livelihood of these people. In other words to give, them more confidence in going back.

&nbsp;

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen who was in India for the foreign office consultations has called ties with India "deep and historic". Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Masud lauded India's Vaccine diplomacy, saying, "India has made available not only to Bangladesh but also to other Neighbours, as part of the Neighbourhood first policy of India and we are deeply appreciative of this.

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen who was in India for the foreign office consultations has called ties with India "deep and historic". Speaking to WION's Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Ambassador Masud lauded India's Vaccine diplomacy, saying, "India has made available not only to Bangladesh but also to other Neighbours, as part of the Neighbourhood first policy of India and we are deeply appreciative of this." India earlier this month gifted 2 million COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh. From 20 January 2021 onwards, New Delhi has gifted over 55 lakh doses of vaccines to its 9 countries part of its neighbourhood and extended neighbourhood. During the foreign office consultations and his meeting with India's External affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar, Ambassador Masud also discussed the Rohingya issue. He said, Dhaka is "hopeful, maybe by the second quarter of this year, we can start repatriation (of Rohingya), maybe in small batches". Adding, "It should start and it can start provided Myanmar has the necessary political will." WION: How were your conversations with the Indian counterpart? Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: We had a very fruitful discussion with Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and earlier he visited Bangladesh and had a brief conversation with him. This is more of a regular contact at the foreign secretary-level. We discussed a lot of issues, but the meeting was also about the visit of Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh to take part in Independence Day celebrations and also 50th anniversary of ties. This year is very important for us, this year we are celebrating Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth centenary of our father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, silver jubilee of our Independence, and the establishment of ties. India was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh, on 6th December. So we like to have year-long programs, it will start with PM Modi's visit to Bangladesh, but it will not be a one of thing. Throughout the year we will have joint programmes, in Delhi, In Bangladesh and also in other parts of the world--jointly by our high commissions. So that was something, we shared a tentative programme with my counterpart with PM Modi's proposed visit. We would like to make it a special one. Other than that, we discussed trade and commerce issues, connectivity issues, water issues, border management issues, so we have so many mechanisms between Bangladesh and India. We have, from time to time kept track and coordinated and integrated so that we have results from these interactions. Very soon we will have a home secretary-level meeting, water secretary-level meetings, all these before PM's visit. So hopefully, we will have more concrete developments to report. During PM's visit, we are identifying a few deliverables which would be important for both the countries, mostly connectivity related issues also symbolic. We have Swadhinata Sarak road between the first place where our govt in exile was sworn in, its in Meherpur. A small patch has been prepared before the summit. WION: How do you see India's covid vaccine diplomacy? Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: From early days we are cooperating, and PM Modi convened the SAARC summit level meet digitally to discuss covid cooperation and time to time we have received valuable supplies. Now we have a new chapter of vaccine cooperation and India has made available not only to Bangladesh but also to other Neighbours, as part of the Neighbourhood first policy of India and we are deeply appreciative of this. 2 million vaccines India has made available to Bangladesh. The administering of which has already begun in Dhaka but will also spread to other cities. We have also purchased 30 million from Serum Institute and some of it has already arrived and we are expecting rest of it to come in phases so that sequencing is done in a manner so that the first shots, 2nd shot get in time. Also, the shelf life of this vaccine has to be taken into consideration. The next stage is India's own Bharat biotech. they have also offered Bangladesh to have some 3rd stage of human trial which is under process in Bangladesh. We are also looking at co-production. Some of our pharma companies, they are capable to handle production as well. Thereby joint initiative can help us and help out other countries in Africa, Latin America. As far as Bangladesh is concerned, we are happy to start vaccination in Bangladesh. India, Bangladesh, Nepal the prevalence of covid is coming down, that is good news. May be by march or April we will win over the crisis if new strain doesn't come. WION: Bangladesh-India Ties going through "golden age", but how do you see ties between Bangladesh and China? Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: Our ties with Bejing are mostly economic and we import from China billions of dollars of worth of goods, which is true for many countries. India used to import from China but during COVID, we have seen interruption of supply chain and it has given us the realisation that countries in the neighbourhood should cooperate more, in terms of helping each other, enhancing trade relations. thereby, China is helping us economically and we have some big projects which are currently done through Chinese contractors. therefore, I don't see, our relations with China should have any serious implications for our very deep and historic relationship with India. We should not compare the two. WION: If you can update us on the Rohingya crisis? Ambassador Masud Bin Momen: This is a major problem for us. You have seen it personally, both in Cox's Bazar and now we are relocating some of them in Bhashan char island. This is a temporary solution because Bangladesh landmass size is a very small country. 1.1 million Rohingya in a small place like Cox's Bazar fraught with all sorts of challenges and risks. We would like to see the early resolution of the crisis and only permanent solution is if these people can go back from where they came, that is the Rakhine province of Myanmar. We have restarted our discussion with Myanmar with the help of China though a trilateral arrangement. We are hopeful, maybe by the second quarter of this year, we can start repatriation, maybe in small batches. It should start and it can start provided Myanmar has the necessary political will. Once these people are identified, verified and ready to cross over to Myanmar, India and countries like Japan, who have good relations with Myanmar can really help. I raised the issue with my counterpart and also EAM Jaishankar, they promised, they already working towards that and when the time comes, they will be more active, especially, another side of the border to ensure safety security and ensure the sustainable livelihood of these people. In other words to give, them more confidence in going back.

Bangladesh foreign secretary says ties with India 'deep and historic'; lauds New Delhi's vaccine diplomacy

The Bangladeshi high commission on Sunday commemorated the famous March 7 speech in 1971 on Bangabandhu, Bangladesh's father of Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recalling and lauding Indian support for the cause of their liberation. &nbsp;

The speech on March 7 by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a turning point as it galvanized the people of then East Pakistan leading to the formation of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi's envoy to India, Muhammad Imran speaking at the event said, "We received the spontaneous support of our Neighbours and from our friends all over the world. We are grateful to the people and government of India, for the moral and material support for our cause"

The March 7 speech in 1971, made from Racecourse ground in Dhaka has been enlisted in "memory of the world register" by UNESCO. The register lists the world's important documentary heritage.

Bangladesh is currently celebrating Mujib Borsho, the centennial birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and has declared the year 2020-21 as the Mujib Year.

The Bangladeshi high commissioner said, "the speech was extempore and became the most memorable speeches given by a politician. The speech was unique in many aspects, he touched upon every aspect struggle of economic and political emancipation of people of Bangladesh "

The event saw a gathering of many diplomats, with Bhutan's envoy Maj. Gen. Vetsop Namgyel also addressing the gathering. This year marks the 50th year of Bangladesh's independence and for that Indian PM Modi will be travelling to Dhaka on 26th and 27th March. Ahead of the visit, India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar had travelled to the country.&nbsp;

Amid the COVID&nbsp;pandemic, New Delhi reached out to Bangladesh with COVID vaccines for which envoy Muhammad Imran thanked "friend India".

India has sent, 90 lakh doses of COVID&nbsp;vaccines to Bangladesh, 20 lakh of which is gifted, 70 lakh sent commercially. Bangladesh started its vaccination drive using India made the vaccine. It will start the vaccination of foreign workers in the country.

The Bangladeshi high commission on Sunday commemorated the famous March 7 speech in 1971 on Bangabandhu, Bangladesh's father of Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recalling and lauding Indian support for the cause of their liberation.

The Bangladeshi high commission on Sunday commemorated the famous March 7 speech in 1971 on Bangabandhu, Bangladesh's father of Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, recalling and lauding Indian support for the cause of their liberation. The speech on March 7 by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a turning point as it galvanized the people of then East Pakistan leading to the formation of Bangladesh. Bangladeshi's envoy to India, Muhammad Imran speaking at the event said, "We received the spontaneous support of our Neighbours and from our friends all over the world. We are grateful to the people and government of India, for the moral and material support for our cause" The March 7 speech in 1971, made from Racecourse ground in Dhaka has been enlisted in "memory of the world register" by UNESCO. The register lists the world's important documentary heritage. Bangladesh is currently celebrating Mujib Borsho, the centennial birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and has declared the year 2020-21 as the Mujib Year. The Bangladeshi high commissioner said, "the speech was extempore and became the most memorable speeches given by a politician. The speech was unique in many aspects, he touched upon every aspect struggle of economic and political emancipation of people of Bangladesh " The event saw a gathering of many diplomats, with Bhutan's envoy Maj. Gen. Vetsop Namgyel also addressing the gathering. This year marks the 50th year of Bangladesh's independence and for that Indian PM Modi will be travelling to Dhaka on 26th and 27th March. Ahead of the visit, India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar had travelled to the country. Amid the COVID pandemic, New Delhi reached out to Bangladesh with COVID vaccines for which envoy Muhammad Imran thanked "friend India". India has sent, 90 lakh doses of COVID vaccines to Bangladesh, 20 lakh of which is gifted, 70 lakh sent commercially. Bangladesh started its vaccination drive using India made the vaccine. It will start the vaccination of foreign workers in the country.

Bangladesh mission in Delhi commemorates March 7 speech of Bangabandhu; lauds Indian support

India's external affairs minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-external-affairs-minister-s-jaishankar-arrives-in-bangladesh-367854">S Jaishankar</a> met his Bangladesh counterpart foreign minister&nbsp;A K Abdul Momen&nbsp;and asserted that "our comfort levels are so high there is no issue we can't discuss and resolve amicably".

Watch:

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"This visit has been transformational in our relationship. We also reviewed a lot of the progress in our relationship," Jaishankar said alongside the Bangladesh foreign minister.

"Teesta issue was discussed between India and&nbsp;Bangladesh," India's external affairs minister said while saying that "our position hasn't changed".

"If we can get connectivity right with Bangladesh, the whole bay of Bengal will change," Jaishankar said while mentioning Japan as the third country in partnership between India and&nbsp;Bangladesh projects.

"When I look at India-Bangladesh ties, I see enormous possibilities including economic and people-to-people connectivity. The idea is: be with friends, underline the importance and do preparations," he said.

"We discussed the deaths at the border as neighbours and friends should. Every death is regrettable, the problem is crime. Our shared objective should be - no crime and no death border," Jaishankar maintained.

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar met his Bangladesh counterpart foreign minister A K Abdul Momen and asserted that "our comfort levels are so high there is no issue we can't discuss and resolve amicably".

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar met his Bangladesh counterpart foreign minister A K Abdul Momen and asserted that "our comfort levels are so high there is no issue we can't discuss and resolve amicably". Watch: "This visit has been transformational in our relationship. We also reviewed a lot of the progress in our relationship," Jaishankar said alongside the Bangladesh foreign minister. "Teesta issue was discussed between India and Bangladesh," India's external affairs minister said while saying that "our position hasn't changed". "If we can get connectivity right with Bangladesh, the whole bay of Bengal will change," Jaishankar said while mentioning Japan as the third country in partnership between India and Bangladesh projects. "When I look at India-Bangladesh ties, I see enormous possibilities including economic and people-to-people connectivity. The idea is: be with friends, underline the importance and do preparations," he said. "We discussed the deaths at the border as neighbours and friends should. Every death is regrettable, the problem is crime. Our shared objective should be - no crime and no death border," Jaishankar maintained.

No issue we can't discuss and resolve amicably, says EAM Jaishankar in Bangladesh

Keen on increasing connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region, Indian and Bangladeshi foreign minister discussed Japan as a third country for partnership on connectivity in the region. India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar was on a one-day Dhaka visit on Thursday during which he held talks with Bangladeshi foreign minister&nbsp;Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen with one of the key focus areas being on connectivity.

During the joint statements, EAM Jaishankar said, "If we can get connectivity right between India and Bangladesh, I can tell u the entire logistics, the whole geo-economics of the region will change, the Bay of Bengal will look very different."

He explained, "both of us believed that this is possible, lot of our conversation was on this specific subject, we actually feel, we should even involve 3rd countries we talked about Japan as a possibility because both of us have very good relations with Japan and Japan is involved in connectivity projects in the Bay of Bengal. I would pick connectivity as a big goal."

Japan has been involved in a number of connectivity projects in India's northeast. Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) stands at over Rs 1600 cr in India's northeast with projects, many of them connectivity in seven&nbsp;states of the region. The projects include Guwahati sewerage projects, Sikkim major district roads projects.

In Bangladesh, Japan is involved in projects like Dhaka mass rapid transit development project, kanchpur, Meghna, Gumti second bridge Construction, Chittagong city outer ring road project, Jamuna railway bridge construction project.&nbsp;

EAM's visit comes ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to the country on March 26 and 27 as the country celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary. During EAM's visit, the Teesta water issue was also discussed, with EAM in response to a question saying, "We did discuss it. And we have a meeting of our water resources secretaries soon. The will be discussing it further. I think you all know the position of the Indian Government. That position has no change. “

Prime Minister Modi will be in Dhaka for the Mujib Borsho celebrations as well as the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations.&nbsp;Amid the covid pandemic, India reached out to Bangladesh and just recently sent covid vaccines to the country.

Bangladesh FM&nbsp;A.K. Abdul Momen said, "We thankfully acknowledge the collaborative initiative of the two countries in implementing the vaccination program against the ongoing pandemic. As you all are aware, Bangladesh has purchased the COVID vaccine from Serum Institute of India and the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is implementing the nationwide vaccination program free of cost."

Keen on increasing connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region, Indian and Bangladeshi foreign minister discussed Japan as a third country for partnership on connectivity in the region.

Keen on increasing connectivity in the Bay of Bengal region, Indian and Bangladeshi foreign minister discussed Japan as a third country for partnership on connectivity in the region. India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar was on a one-day Dhaka visit on Thursday during which he held talks with Bangladeshi foreign minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen with one of the key focus areas being on connectivity. During the joint statements, EAM Jaishankar said, "If we can get connectivity right between India and Bangladesh, I can tell u the entire logistics, the whole geo-economics of the region will change, the Bay of Bengal will look very different." He explained, "both of us believed that this is possible, lot of our conversation was on this specific subject, we actually feel, we should even involve 3rd countries we talked about Japan as a possibility because both of us have very good relations with Japan and Japan is involved in connectivity projects in the Bay of Bengal. I would pick connectivity as a big goal." Japan has been involved in a number of connectivity projects in India's northeast. Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) stands at over Rs 1600 cr in India's northeast with projects, many of them connectivity in seven states of the region. The projects include Guwahati sewerage projects, Sikkim major district roads projects. In Bangladesh, Japan is involved in projects like Dhaka mass rapid transit development project, kanchpur, Meghna, Gumti second bridge Construction, Chittagong city outer ring road project, Jamuna railway bridge construction project. EAM's visit comes ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to the country on March 26 and 27 as the country celebrates its 50th Independence anniversary. During EAM's visit, the Teesta water issue was also discussed, with EAM in response to a question saying, "We did discuss it. And we have a meeting of our water resources secretaries soon. The will be discussing it further. I think you all know the position of the Indian Government. That position has no change. “ Prime Minister Modi will be in Dhaka for the Mujib Borsho celebrations as well as the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. Amid the covid pandemic, India reached out to Bangladesh and just recently sent covid vaccines to the country. Bangladesh FM A.K. Abdul Momen said, "We thankfully acknowledge the collaborative initiative of the two countries in implementing the vaccination program against the ongoing pandemic. As you all are aware, Bangladesh has purchased the COVID vaccine from Serum Institute of India and the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is implementing the nationwide vaccination program free of cost."

India, Bangladesh keen on Japan for partnership on connectivity

External affairs minister S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Thursday to prepare the ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Bangladesh, and hold talks with his counterpart on the progress of bilateral ties.

Bangladesh foreign minister A K Abdul Momen received Jaishankar at Kurmitola Air Force base. The two counterparts are set for a meeting during the day.

"This is an important meeting as it is expected to lay the groundwork for the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi and his talks with our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," a Bangladesh foreign ministry official said.

Jaishankar, who is visiting the country at the invitation of foreign minister Momen, is also expected to hold talks on a host of bilateral and regional issues.

Prime Minister Modi is likely to pay a two-day visit to Bangladesh beginning March 26 to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.

According to officials familiar with the visit, Jaishankar would call on Prime Minister Hasina during his stay.

The two foreign ministers would take an overview of bilateral MoUs that are likely to be signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit on March 26-27, they said.

The officials said that during Modi's visit, the two premiers were likely to flag off a direct passenger train service between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal.

Hasina and Modi had held a virtual summit on December 17 when they jointly flagged off the train service between Haldibari and Chilahati.

Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen visited India in January during which both sides extensively deliberated on Modi's visit to Dhaka.

Jaishankar's visit to Bangladesh follows on the PM-level virtual summit in December last year and will also provide an opportunity to take stock of the progress in bilateral relations, the ministry of external affairs said in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Following the summit, the Indian side had said Prime Minister Modi will visit Bangladesh in March this year to join the celebrations for 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence and India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Thursday to prepare the ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Bangladesh, and hold talks with his counterpart on the progress of bilateral ties.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Thursday to prepare the ground for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Bangladesh, and hold talks with his counterpart on the progress of bilateral ties. Bangladesh foreign minister A K Abdul Momen received Jaishankar at Kurmitola Air Force base. The two counterparts are set for a meeting during the day. "This is an important meeting as it is expected to lay the groundwork for the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Modi and his talks with our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," a Bangladesh foreign ministry official said. Jaishankar, who is visiting the country at the invitation of foreign minister Momen, is also expected to hold talks on a host of bilateral and regional issues. Prime Minister Modi is likely to pay a two-day visit to Bangladesh beginning March 26 to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. According to officials familiar with the visit, Jaishankar would call on Prime Minister Hasina during his stay. The two foreign ministers would take an overview of bilateral MoUs that are likely to be signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit on March 26-27, they said. The officials said that during Modi's visit, the two premiers were likely to flag off a direct passenger train service between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Hasina and Modi had held a virtual summit on December 17 when they jointly flagged off the train service between Haldibari and Chilahati. Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen visited India in January during which both sides extensively deliberated on Modi's visit to Dhaka. Jaishankar's visit to Bangladesh follows on the PM-level virtual summit in December last year and will also provide an opportunity to take stock of the progress in bilateral relations, the ministry of external affairs said in New Delhi on Wednesday. Following the summit, the Indian side had said Prime Minister Modi will visit Bangladesh in March this year to join the celebrations for 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence and India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar arrives in Bangladesh

The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII) is being rolled out across Bangladesh on Sunday amid lukewarm interest from the people to receive the shots against the virus. 
 
Two million vaccine doses arrived in the country on time from India as a gift. The vials were sent across the country as planned, and the vaccinators and volunteers have been trained. 
 
The nationwide immunisation drive against the coronavirus in 1,015 centres started on Sunday after revising its vaccination plan to administer 3.5 million doses in the first month instead of 6 million. 
 
The programme will include as many as 2,402 teams of health workers. Each team will comprise four members, two health workers and two volunteers. 
 
"Although the Bangladesh government is set to launch the mass vaccination programme across the country on Sunday, due to country-wide Anti-India propaganda public apathy to get registered for it looks to be a major challenge to make the drive a success," ABM Abdullah physician, academic, professor emeritus of Dhaka University and the personal physician of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said on Saturday night. 
 
Under the circumstances, the government has decided to vaccinate 3.5 million people instead of over 6 million in the first month of the drive, said Zahid Maleque, the Health Minister of Bangladesh. 
 
The Bangladesh government has purchased 30 million doses of the vaccine. It has already received a total of seven million doses of the vaccine. 
 
Bangladesh is expected to receive 12.5 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the first half of 2021 under COVAX, the WHO-backed global scheme for distributing the coronavirus vaccines. 
 
The two-day piloting was successfully carried out on January 28, but none of the 567 volunteers who took the first shot of the two-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has complained of any major side effect. 
 
But the response from people eligible for inoculation in the first phase has been underwhelming. 
 
Employees of the Health Ministry will be administered with the Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday morning, said Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director-general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). 
 
"Political leaders and people`s representatives will take part in vaccination centres in different hospitals of the capital and the country to motivate the people for the vaccination," he added. 
 
Mohammad Enamur Rahim, physician and State Minister for Relief and Disaster Management and Farhad Hossain, state minister for Public Administration will administer the corona vaccine at Gastroliver Hospital in the capital and Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan at Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. 
 
While the government`s target was to vaccinate 260,000 people each day, only 3,28,000 people got registered online in eleven days as of Saturday afternoon. 
 
The doses will be administered in five stages under three phases. Priorities will be given to health workers and others on the frontline. 
 
Health workers from each group can vaccinate a maximum of 150 people. Hence it will be possible to vaccinate 3,29,400 people on the first day. 
 
According to the national Covid vaccine distribution and preparation plan, the Bangladesh government will inoculate 80 per cent of the country`s population or around 138.24 million people, Health Minister Maleque said. 
 
Each person will be given two doses of the vaccine, he added. 
 
"Anyone will be registered and vaccinated. If there is a delay in registration, the vaccines will be given first and the data will be recorded later. We will not send anyone back." 
 
Zahid urged all to get vaccinated saying that preparations for the inoculation drive are almost complete. "All those who have been vaccinated so far are healthy." 
 
At least 2,400 teams will work in the country. Each team has the capacity to vaccinate 150 people. 
 
At the district and Upazila level, vaccination will be administered from 8 am to 2.30 p.m. 
 
Health representatives are conducting campaigns, including using loudspeakers, publishing contents in various media outlets to encourage people in rural areas across the country to take the shot. 
 
A participant has to bring his National Identity Card for registration. 
 
Many people do not have smartphones and may not be able to register and or this reason, chairmen, mayors and MPs will bring the people to the centres and get them registered and vaccinate.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII) is being rolled out across Bangladesh on Sunday amid lukewarm interest from the people to receive the shots against the virus.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII) is being rolled out across Bangladesh on Sunday amid lukewarm interest from the people to receive the shots against the virus. Two million vaccine doses arrived in the country on time from India as a gift. The vials were sent across the country as planned, and the vaccinators and volunteers have been trained. The nationwide immunisation drive against the coronavirus in 1,015 centres started on Sunday after revising its vaccination plan to administer 3.5 million doses in the first month instead of 6 million. The programme will include as many as 2,402 teams of health workers. Each team will comprise four members, two health workers and two volunteers. "Although the Bangladesh government is set to launch the mass vaccination programme across the country on Sunday, due to country-wide Anti-India propaganda public apathy to get registered for it looks to be a major challenge to make the drive a success," ABM Abdullah physician, academic, professor emeritus of Dhaka University and the personal physician of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said on Saturday night. Under the circumstances, the government has decided to vaccinate 3.5 million people instead of over 6 million in the first month of the drive, said Zahid Maleque, the Health Minister of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government has purchased 30 million doses of the vaccine. It has already received a total of seven million doses of the vaccine. Bangladesh is expected to receive 12.5 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in the first half of 2021 under COVAX, the WHO-backed global scheme for distributing the coronavirus vaccines. The two-day piloting was successfully carried out on January 28, but none of the 567 volunteers who took the first shot of the two-dose Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has complained of any major side effect. But the response from people eligible for inoculation in the first phase has been underwhelming. Employees of the Health Ministry will be administered with the Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday morning, said Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director-general of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). "Political leaders and people`s representatives will take part in vaccination centres in different hospitals of the capital and the country to motivate the people for the vaccination," he added. Mohammad Enamur Rahim, physician and State Minister for Relief and Disaster Management and Farhad Hossain, state minister for Public Administration will administer the corona vaccine at Gastroliver Hospital in the capital and Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan at Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka. While the government`s target was to vaccinate 260,000 people each day, only 3,28,000 people got registered online in eleven days as of Saturday afternoon. The doses will be administered in five stages under three phases. Priorities will be given to health workers and others on the frontline. Health workers from each group can vaccinate a maximum of 150 people. Hence it will be possible to vaccinate 3,29,400 people on the first day. According to the national Covid vaccine distribution and preparation plan, the Bangladesh government will inoculate 80 per cent of the country`s population or around 138.24 million people, Health Minister Maleque said. Each person will be given two doses of the vaccine, he added. "Anyone will be registered and vaccinated. If there is a delay in registration, the vaccines will be given first and the data will be recorded later. We will not send anyone back." Zahid urged all to get vaccinated saying that preparations for the inoculation drive are almost complete. "All those who have been vaccinated so far are healthy." At least 2,400 teams will work in the country. Each team has the capacity to vaccinate 150 people. At the district and Upazila level, vaccination will be administered from 8 am to 2.30 p.m. Health representatives are conducting campaigns, including using loudspeakers, publishing contents in various media outlets to encourage people in rural areas across the country to take the shot. A participant has to bring his National Identity Card for registration. Many people do not have smartphones and may not be able to register and or this reason, chairmen, mayors and MPs will bring the people to the centres and get them registered and vaccinate.

Bangladesh rolls out Covid-19 vaccine from Serum Institute of India

Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen will be visiting India next week from 27th to 29th January for the annual foreign office consultations. The key focus will be many things including connectivity, Covid pandemic.&nbsp; "All aspects of the relations will be discussed during the visit", a person familiar with the development told WION.&nbsp;

Last year Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla visited Dhaka. The visit was the first foreign visit of India's Foreign secretary amid the covid pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Masud's visit comes even as New Delhi has started export of COVID&nbsp;vaccines to countries in the region with Bangladesh being accorded a high priority. The first consignment of India's COVID vaccine will be gifted to Bangladesh on Thursday. The consignment contains 2 million doses of the COVISHIELD vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India(SII).

This will be followed by the go-ahead to commercial supplies starting next week. Bangladeshi govt and the country's largest Pharma company Beximco pharmaceuticals has signed a contract with SII to procure 30 million COVID vaccines.

In December both Indian PM Modi and Bangladeshi PM Shiekh Hasina held a virtual summit. During the summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Indian Armed forces and thanked India for the liberation of the country from Pakistan in 1971.

Speaking at the summit, in presence of Indian PM, she said," I pay deep homage to the three million martyrs who laid down their lives. I pay tribute to the members of the Indian armed forces martyred in the war and their families. I pay my gratitude to the government and the people of India who extended their wholehearted support for the cause of our liberation."

In March, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dhaka for Bangladesh's 50th Independence year celebrations.

Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen will be visiting India next week from 27th to 29th January for the annual foreign office consultations. The key focus will be many things including connectivity, Covid pandemic.

Bangladesh’s foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen will be visiting India next week from 27th to 29th January for the annual foreign office consultations. The key focus will be many things including connectivity, Covid pandemic. "All aspects of the relations will be discussed during the visit", a person familiar with the development told WION. Last year Indian foreign secretary Harsh Shringla visited Dhaka. The visit was the first foreign visit of India's Foreign secretary amid the covid pandemic. Masud's visit comes even as New Delhi has started export of COVID vaccines to countries in the region with Bangladesh being accorded a high priority. The first consignment of India's COVID vaccine will be gifted to Bangladesh on Thursday. The consignment contains 2 million doses of the COVISHIELD vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India(SII). This will be followed by the go-ahead to commercial supplies starting next week. Bangladeshi govt and the country's largest Pharma company Beximco pharmaceuticals has signed a contract with SII to procure 30 million COVID vaccines. In December both Indian PM Modi and Bangladeshi PM Shiekh Hasina held a virtual summit. During the summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the Indian Armed forces and thanked India for the liberation of the country from Pakistan in 1971. Speaking at the summit, in presence of Indian PM, she said," I pay deep homage to the three million martyrs who laid down their lives. I pay tribute to the members of the Indian armed forces martyred in the war and their families. I pay my gratitude to the government and the people of India who extended their wholehearted support for the cause of our liberation." In March, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dhaka for Bangladesh's 50th Independence year celebrations.

Bangladesh's foreign secretary to visit India next week

India and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance counter-terror cooperation especially against global terror groups at the first police chief's dialogue.&nbsp;The focus has also been on increasing real-time intelligence via designated "nodal points".&nbsp;

A statement from India's home ministry said, "Designated ‘nodal points’ would be established for timely and effective handling and response to existing as well as emerging security and counter-terrorism challenges."

South Asia has a number of globally listed terrorists, mostly based in Pakistan such as Lashkar e Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed responsible for terror attacks in India, Afghanistan. The 2016 Islamabad SAARC summit was boycotted by India, Bangladesh along with other south Asian countries in the aftermath of Uri Attack.

During the virtual meet, both sides appreciated each other’s ongoing action against insurgent groups operating in the region.&nbsp;The effort seen timely will also focus on coordinated measures to combat trans-border criminal activities, including smuggling of drugs, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), arms and ammunition, and human trafficking.

The Indian release said, "The institution of Police Chiefs’ Dialogue, assisted by members of other security agencies on both sides, will further enhance the existing cooperation between the police forces of both countries".

The meeting comes even as New Delhi and Dhaka have been increasing cooperation in every sector from connectivity to covid crisis. Last month, PM Modi and PM Hasina held a virtual summit, and ahead of that India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla had visited the country, his first visit amid the pandemic. This year, Bangladesh celebrates its 50th year of independence which will see Indian PM visiting the country in March. In fact, a contingent from Bangladeshi defence forces will take part in India's Republic Day parade later this month.

India and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance counter-terror cooperation especially against global terror groups at the first police chief's dialogue. The focus has also been on increasing real-time intelligence via designated "nodal points".

India and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance counter-terror cooperation especially against global terror groups at the first police chief's dialogue. The focus has also been on increasing real-time intelligence via designated "nodal points". A statement from India's home ministry said, "Designated ‘nodal points’ would be established for timely and effective handling and response to existing as well as emerging security and counter-terrorism challenges." South Asia has a number of globally listed terrorists, mostly based in Pakistan such as Lashkar e Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed responsible for terror attacks in India, Afghanistan. The 2016 Islamabad SAARC summit was boycotted by India, Bangladesh along with other south Asian countries in the aftermath of Uri Attack. During the virtual meet, both sides appreciated each other’s ongoing action against insurgent groups operating in the region. The effort seen timely will also focus on coordinated measures to combat trans-border criminal activities, including smuggling of drugs, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), arms and ammunition, and human trafficking. The Indian release said, "The institution of Police Chiefs’ Dialogue, assisted by members of other security agencies on both sides, will further enhance the existing cooperation between the police forces of both countries". The meeting comes even as New Delhi and Dhaka have been increasing cooperation in every sector from connectivity to covid crisis. Last month, PM Modi and PM Hasina held a virtual summit, and ahead of that India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla had visited the country, his first visit amid the pandemic. This year, Bangladesh celebrates its 50th year of independence which will see Indian PM visiting the country in March. In fact, a contingent from Bangladeshi defence forces will take part in India's Republic Day parade later this month.

India, Bangladesh to increase counter terror cooperation, exchange real-time information via 'nodal points'

Bangladesh is finalising a purchase of 150,000 tonnes of rice from India's NAFED, the New Delhi-based state agency told Reuters, in what would be the first such bilateral deal in three years after floods in Bangladesh sent local prices to a record high.

India, the world's biggest rice exporter, is offering a steep discount to supplies from rivals Thailand and Vietnam to cut its surplus after a bumper harvest.

"We are negotiating with Bangladesh," said a spokesman for NAFED (the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd). "NAFED is in a position to supply up to 500,000 tonnes rice to Bangladesh."

A senior official with Bangladesh's food ministry said they could buy 100,000 tonnes of parboiled rice and 50,000 tonnes of white rice under a government-to-government deal.

India could sell parboiled rice at around $407 and white rice at around $417 per tonne on a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) liner out basis, an Indian government source said. The rates are about a third cheaper than those from Thailand and Vietnam.

The entire shipment is likely to be made in the first quarter of next year from the Haldia port in India's eastern state of West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, the Indian government official added.

Both the Indian and Bangladeshi government officials declined to be named as details are still being worked out.

Representatives for the trade and food ministries of India and Bangladesh did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Bangladesh, the world's third-biggest rice producer with an output of almost 35 million tonnes a year, relies on imports from time to time to cope with shortages caused by natural disasters such as floods or drought.

Its state grains agency issued its first rice purchase tender in three years in November to boost local supplies. The country of more than 160 million people could import as much as 500,000 tonnes of rice in the year to June.

"Bilateral deals will accelerate India's rice exports," said B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Indian Rice Exporters' Association. "The government should try to seal more such deals as we have ample surplus for exports."

Bangladesh is finalising a purchase of 150,000 tonnes of rice from India's NAFED, the New Delhi-based state agency told Reuters, in what would be the first such bilateral deal in three years after floods in Bangladesh sent local prices to a record high.

Bangladesh is finalising a purchase of 150,000 tonnes of rice from India's NAFED, the New Delhi-based state agency told Reuters, in what would be the first such bilateral deal in three years after floods in Bangladesh sent local prices to a record high. India, the world's biggest rice exporter, is offering a steep discount to supplies from rivals Thailand and Vietnam to cut its surplus after a bumper harvest. "We are negotiating with Bangladesh," said a spokesman for NAFED (the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd). "NAFED is in a position to supply up to 500,000 tonnes rice to Bangladesh." A senior official with Bangladesh's food ministry said they could buy 100,000 tonnes of parboiled rice and 50,000 tonnes of white rice under a government-to-government deal. India could sell parboiled rice at around $407 and white rice at around $417 per tonne on a cost, insurance and freight (CIF) liner out basis, an Indian government source said. The rates are about a third cheaper than those from Thailand and Vietnam. The entire shipment is likely to be made in the first quarter of next year from the Haldia port in India's eastern state of West Bengal, which borders Bangladesh, the Indian government official added. Both the Indian and Bangladeshi government officials declined to be named as details are still being worked out. Representatives for the trade and food ministries of India and Bangladesh did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bangladesh, the world's third-biggest rice producer with an output of almost 35 million tonnes a year, relies on imports from time to time to cope with shortages caused by natural disasters such as floods or drought. Its state grains agency issued its first rice purchase tender in three years in November to boost local supplies. The country of more than 160 million people could import as much as 500,000 tonnes of rice in the year to June. "Bilateral deals will accelerate India's rice exports," said B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Indian Rice Exporters' Association. "The government should try to seal more such deals as we have ample surplus for exports."

Bangladesh, India finalising first bilateral rice deal in 3 years: Sources

India on Tuesday assured Bangladesh of complete cooperation in ensuring barrier-free trade between the two countries and said that together the two countries can aspire for a better future for people, particularly farmers.

In his address at the India-Bangladesh Digital Conference on Agriculture Sector, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry, assured Bangladesh of complete cooperation in ensuring barrier-free trade between the two countries.

He said, "We have offered duty-free market access to Bangladesh in many products, including, agri-exports. Together we can aspire for a better and brighter future for people of both the countries, particularly for the farmers of both countries to benefit from economic prosperity."

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the Minister said that India and Bangladesh share a very warm and cordial relationship, based on mutual trust and friendship which goes beyond the arithmetic of economic gains and losses. He further said that this partnership stands out as a role model in the region, for good neighbourly relations.

"Our ties have witnessed an upswing in the last 6 years. We have scaled up trade and economic engagement, besides implementing a number of connectivity and infrastructure projects," he said.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina share a common vision and pro-business policies which have enhanced governance in our two countries. They both share an ambition of improving the prosperity of the people, he said.

As over 50 per cent of the population in both countries are involved in the agriculture sector, the Minister said, "We are delighted that Bangladesh has now become self-sufficient in food, and the goal is to modernise agriculture. This is an area where we both should work with greater synergies and collaboration. Agriculture can have game-changing potential between our two countries. Bilateral cooperation in this sector can pave the way to overcome the current economic challenges. The agriculture sector has huge socio-economic dimensions. Being the prominent sector of the economy, bilateral cooperation in this sector can pave the way to overcome the current economic challenges our countries are facing."

The Ministry of Commerce said in its statement that the Minister appreciated the intention of the Bangladesh government to search for ways to increase and improve the prosperity of their farmers. He assured complete cooperation in this regard.

Goyal also spoke about the steps taken by India to help our farmers, including transportation, irrigation, institutional credit, marketing facilities, the supply of quality inputs like seeds, neem coating fertilisers and machinery, and development of associated cottage industries.

The Minister said that in view of the recent developments, the non-tariff barriers will play a crucial role in determining how Bangladesh utilises the abundant opportunities India has to offer.

Referring to other areas of bilateral cooperation, Goyal said, "On food processing, we can work with each other, learn from each other and expand our presence in the global market in partnership with each other. We share a strong relationship in the Railways sector which is our bridge to greater engagement in infrastructure development."

"Governments of both our countries have set very high benchmarks on how Bangladesh and India together can capture a larger share of the global market in textiles. Through this, we can provide jobs to the people, increase earnings from trade, and support economic development," he added.&nbsp;

India on Tuesday assured Bangladesh of complete cooperation in ensuring barrier-free trade between the two countries and said that together the two countries can aspire for a better future for people, particularly farmers.

India on Tuesday assured Bangladesh of complete cooperation in ensuring barrier-free trade between the two countries and said that together the two countries can aspire for a better future for people, particularly farmers. In his address at the India-Bangladesh Digital Conference on Agriculture Sector, Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry, assured Bangladesh of complete cooperation in ensuring barrier-free trade between the two countries. He said, "We have offered duty-free market access to Bangladesh in many products, including, agri-exports. Together we can aspire for a better and brighter future for people of both the countries, particularly for the farmers of both countries to benefit from economic prosperity." According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the Minister said that India and Bangladesh share a very warm and cordial relationship, based on mutual trust and friendship which goes beyond the arithmetic of economic gains and losses. He further said that this partnership stands out as a role model in the region, for good neighbourly relations. "Our ties have witnessed an upswing in the last 6 years. We have scaled up trade and economic engagement, besides implementing a number of connectivity and infrastructure projects," he said. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina share a common vision and pro-business policies which have enhanced governance in our two countries. They both share an ambition of improving the prosperity of the people, he said. As over 50 per cent of the population in both countries are involved in the agriculture sector, the Minister said, "We are delighted that Bangladesh has now become self-sufficient in food, and the goal is to modernise agriculture. This is an area where we both should work with greater synergies and collaboration. Agriculture can have game-changing potential between our two countries. Bilateral cooperation in this sector can pave the way to overcome the current economic challenges. The agriculture sector has huge socio-economic dimensions. Being the prominent sector of the economy, bilateral cooperation in this sector can pave the way to overcome the current economic challenges our countries are facing." The Ministry of Commerce said in its statement that the Minister appreciated the intention of the Bangladesh government to search for ways to increase and improve the prosperity of their farmers. He assured complete cooperation in this regard. Goyal also spoke about the steps taken by India to help our farmers, including transportation, irrigation, institutional credit, marketing facilities, the supply of quality inputs like seeds, neem coating fertilisers and machinery, and development of associated cottage industries. The Minister said that in view of the recent developments, the non-tariff barriers will play a crucial role in determining how Bangladesh utilises the abundant opportunities India has to offer. Referring to other areas of bilateral cooperation, Goyal said, "On food processing, we can work with each other, learn from each other and expand our presence in the global market in partnership with each other. We share a strong relationship in the Railways sector which is our bridge to greater engagement in infrastructure development." "Governments of both our countries have set very high benchmarks on how Bangladesh and India together can capture a larger share of the global market in textiles. Through this, we can provide jobs to the people, increase earnings from trade, and support economic development," he added.

India assures Bangladesh cooperation in ensuring barrier-free trade

Connectivity and paying tributes to Bangladesh's father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the centenary birth anniversary celebration will be the top focus areas of Indian PM Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's virtual summit on Thursday.&nbsp;

On connectivity, the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal will be the major outcome of the meet. The route will also connect Assam with Bangladesh and expectedly increase connectivity and economic development in the region help in the movement of cargo.&nbsp;

With the opening of the rail link, five out of pre-1965 six rail links between the two countries will be revived. The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link was part of the broad gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri. &nbsp;The other four rail links are Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)–Birol (Bangladesh).&nbsp;

Both sides are working on Agartala and Akhaura rail link which will open next year. Amid the pandemic, a transport air bubble was also opened to facilitate the movement of travellers on both sides, especially of medical travellers. Earlier this year, as part of increasing connectivity via waterways, trial runs on Sonamura – Daudkandi and Daudkandi – Sonamura route was started.

Both PMs will jointly inaugurate a commemorative stamp on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh is celebrating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led the freedom movement for the country against Pakistan rule. India's department of the post has issued 500,000 stamps, 3,0750 first day covers and 25,610 brochures on Bangabandhu.

As part of the increased common connection, both sides will open a Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition. The exhibition will be displayed in New Delhi, followed by Bangladesh, United Nations, and would finally culminate at Kolkata in early 2022. While it will provide details on both the leaders, it will have a 360-degree view of some of the historic locations and a robotic signature of Bangabandhu and Bapu. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Connectivity and paying tributes to Bangladesh's father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the centenary birth anniversary celebration will be the top focus areas of Indian PM Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's virtual summit on Thursday.

Connectivity and paying tributes to Bangladesh's father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the centenary birth anniversary celebration will be the top focus areas of Indian PM Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's virtual summit on Thursday. On connectivity, the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal will be the major outcome of the meet. The route will also connect Assam with Bangladesh and expectedly increase connectivity and economic development in the region help in the movement of cargo. With the opening of the rail link, five out of pre-1965 six rail links between the two countries will be revived. The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link was part of the broad gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri. The other four rail links are Petrapole (India) - Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India) – Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)–Birol (Bangladesh). Both sides are working on Agartala and Akhaura rail link which will open next year. Amid the pandemic, a transport air bubble was also opened to facilitate the movement of travellers on both sides, especially of medical travellers. Earlier this year, as part of increasing connectivity via waterways, trial runs on Sonamura – Daudkandi and Daudkandi – Sonamura route was started. Both PMs will jointly inaugurate a commemorative stamp on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Bangladesh is celebrating Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who led the freedom movement for the country against Pakistan rule. India's department of the post has issued 500,000 stamps, 3,0750 first day covers and 25,610 brochures on Bangabandhu. As part of the increased common connection, both sides will open a Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition. The exhibition will be displayed in New Delhi, followed by Bangladesh, United Nations, and would finally culminate at Kolkata in early 2022. While it will provide details on both the leaders, it will have a 360-degree view of some of the historic locations and a robotic signature of Bangabandhu and Bapu.

Connectivity, Bangabandhu-Bapu link top focus during PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina virtual summit

India and Bangladesh are writing a new chapter in their relationship with a rail route set to open after a gap of 55 years to speed up connectivity between the two countries.

Leaders from both sides are set to hold a virtual summit next week with a lot more in store.

The rail route connects Haldibari in West Bengal to Chilahati in Bangladesh. The prime ministers of both countries will inaugurate the rail line next week when they meet for a virtual summit on December 17.

Reports claim at least four MoUs can be signed next week. These agreements are expected to boost bilateral cooperation. The summit is the culmination of a series of overtures that New Delhi has made to Dhaka.

In August, India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had travelled to Bangladesh to boost cooperation. Prime Minister Modi had sent a personal message to Sheikh Hasina through the Indian diplomat since then India and Bangladesh have focused on speeding up several connectivity and transit projects.

Both countries have now set up a new mechanism to review the ventures which includes an oil pipeline and two cross-border rail links set to be completed in 2021. The Chilahati-Haldibari rail line was also brought under the same mechanism.

At present 28 per cent of India's development budget goes to Bangladesh which translates into $10 billion which is a significant investment to counter the Dragon's growing influence in India's neighbourhood.

Now both countries are ready to kick off a new phase in their relationship. Bangladesh has invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Dhaka next year for the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the liberation of Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh are writing a new chapter in their relationship with a rail route set to open after a gap of 55 years to speed up connectivity between the two countries.

India and Bangladesh are writing a new chapter in their relationship with a rail route set to open after a gap of 55 years to speed up connectivity between the two countries. Leaders from both sides are set to hold a virtual summit next week with a lot more in store. The rail route connects Haldibari in West Bengal to Chilahati in Bangladesh. The prime ministers of both countries will inaugurate the rail line next week when they meet for a virtual summit on December 17. Reports claim at least four MoUs can be signed next week. These agreements are expected to boost bilateral cooperation. The summit is the culmination of a series of overtures that New Delhi has made to Dhaka. In August, India's foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had travelled to Bangladesh to boost cooperation. Prime Minister Modi had sent a personal message to Sheikh Hasina through the Indian diplomat since then India and Bangladesh have focused on speeding up several connectivity and transit projects. Both countries have now set up a new mechanism to review the ventures which includes an oil pipeline and two cross-border rail links set to be completed in 2021. The Chilahati-Haldibari rail line was also brought under the same mechanism. At present 28 per cent of India's development budget goes to Bangladesh which translates into $10 billion which is a significant investment to counter the Dragon's growing influence in India's neighbourhood. Now both countries are ready to kick off a new phase in their relationship. Bangladesh has invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Dhaka next year for the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the liberation of Bangladesh.

India, Bangladesh set to speed up connectivity with new rail route

&nbsp;India has opened four&nbsp;new trade routes with Bhutan at Nagarkata, Agartala, Jogighopa, and Pandu.

The Nagarkata port in West Bengal has been notified as a "permanent" land customs station, with no restriction on commodity movement. Earlier it was a "seasonal" station, allowing only trade of certain commodities like oranges, ginger, cardamom.

The other trade route is Tripura's capital Agartala, which will facilitate the country's trade with Bangladesh. This comes, even as India plans to complete work on Agartala-Akhaura rail by next year as part of increased regional connectivity plans.

New Delhi has also given a go-ahead to Jogighopa and Pandu riverine ports for connectivity. Both ports are located on India's national waterway&nbsp;along the Brahmaputra passing through Assam. So far, Dhubri in Assam was the only riverine port designated for Bhutan's trade with India.

A release from Indian mission in Bhutan said, "Bhutan is India’s closest partner and friend" and a "special bonds of trust and understanding between India and Bhutan that have existed over decades"

India's commerce minister Piyush Goyal had visited Bhutan in February 2020 and since then a number of virtual meetings have taken place at the trade ministries level leading to the opening of new trade routes.

In October, India had allowed gave a green signal to trade on the Ahllay-Jaigaon axis which gives an alternative and leads to substantial decongestion on Phuentsholing-Jaigaon.

The opening of trade routes come, even as New Delhi is working to open new connectivity projects in South Asia and beyond.

Towards the west, its the Chabahar project that has helped India reach out to Afghanistan, with Myanmar and beyond its the Kaladan multimodal project whose crucial link is Sittwe port.

With Nepal in the north, India opened integrated check posts (ICP) in Birgunj in April 2018, Biratnagar in 2020, and construction for the third&nbsp;ICP at Nepalgunj has started while work on fourth&nbsp;ICP at Bhairahwa has started.

Down south with the Maldives, India launched the first-ever cargo ferry service connecting India's Tuticorin and Cochin ports with Kulhudhuhfushi and Male in the Maldives.

India has opened four new trade routes with Bhutan at Nagarkata, Agartala, Jogighopa, and Pandu. The Nagarkata port in West Bengal has been notified as a "permanent" land customs station, with no restriction on commodity movement.

India has opened four new trade routes with Bhutan at Nagarkata, Agartala, Jogighopa, and Pandu. The Nagarkata port in West Bengal has been notified as a "permanent" land customs station, with no restriction on commodity movement. Earlier it was a "seasonal" station, allowing only trade of certain commodities like oranges, ginger, cardamom. The other trade route is Tripura's capital Agartala, which will facilitate the country's trade with Bangladesh. This comes, even as India plans to complete work on Agartala-Akhaura rail by next year as part of increased regional connectivity plans. New Delhi has also given a go-ahead to Jogighopa and Pandu riverine ports for connectivity. Both ports are located on India's national waterway along the Brahmaputra passing through Assam. So far, Dhubri in Assam was the only riverine port designated for Bhutan's trade with India. A release from Indian mission in Bhutan said, "Bhutan is India’s closest partner and friend" and a "special bonds of trust and understanding between India and Bhutan that have existed over decades" India's commerce minister Piyush Goyal had visited Bhutan in February 2020 and since then a number of virtual meetings have taken place at the trade ministries level leading to the opening of new trade routes. In October, India had allowed gave a green signal to trade on the Ahllay-Jaigaon axis which gives an alternative and leads to substantial decongestion on Phuentsholing-Jaigaon. The opening of trade routes come, even as New Delhi is working to open new connectivity projects in South Asia and beyond. Towards the west, its the Chabahar project that has helped India reach out to Afghanistan, with Myanmar and beyond its the Kaladan multimodal project whose crucial link is Sittwe port. With Nepal in the north, India opened integrated check posts (ICP) in Birgunj in April 2018, Biratnagar in 2020, and construction for the third ICP at Nepalgunj has started while work on fourth ICP at Bhairahwa has started. Down south with the Maldives, India launched the first-ever cargo ferry service connecting India's Tuticorin and Cochin ports with Kulhudhuhfushi and Male in the Maldives.

India opens four trade routes with Bhutan

India has taken up with Bangladeshi authorities the issue of violence targeting Hindu families in Bangladesh's Comilla district and the matter is being probed by the authorities there, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

Some radical Islamists vandalised and set on firehouses of several Hindu families in Bangladesh's Comilla district earlier this week over rumours about an alleged Facebook post slandering Islam.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-angry-mob-burns-hindu-homes-in-bangladesh-339948/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Asked about the incident at an online media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India's High Commission and posts in Bangladesh are in close contact with local authorities in Bangladesh over the incident.

"They have taken up this incident and we have been informed that the Bangladesh authorities have looked at this incident very seriously and the law enforcement authorities there are investigating the outbreak of violence," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hindu-widows-entitled-to-a-share-in-husbands-property-bangladesh-high-court-324983">Hindu widows entitled to a share in husband's property: Bangladesh High Court</a>

They also continue to remain vigilant to prevent any untoward disturbances, Srivastava added.

The households were vandalised and later set on fire on Sunday after a Bangladeshi man, who lives in France, allegedly praised President Emmanuel Macron for taking steps against "inhumane ideologies" after a teacher in Paris was decapitated for showing caricatures of the Prophet, Bangladeshi officials had said.

To a separate question on fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, Srivastava said his bail application was rejected on October 26 by a UK court and a hearing was also held in the case on November 3.

The next hearing is on January 7-8, 2021 and till then Nirav Modi will be in judicial custody, he said.

On the Kerala gold smuggling case, Srivastava said one accused has been arrested by the NIA and he cannot comment as the matter is under investigation.

India has taken up with Bangladeshi authorities the issue of violence targeting Hindu families in Bangladesh's Comilla district and the matter is being probed by the authorities there, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

India has taken up with Bangladeshi authorities the issue of violence targeting Hindu families in Bangladesh's Comilla district and the matter is being probed by the authorities there, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday. Some radical Islamists vandalised and set on firehouses of several Hindu families in Bangladesh's Comilla district earlier this week over rumours about an alleged Facebook post slandering Islam. Asked about the incident at an online media briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India's High Commission and posts in Bangladesh are in close contact with local authorities in Bangladesh over the incident. "They have taken up this incident and we have been informed that the Bangladesh authorities have looked at this incident very seriously and the law enforcement authorities there are investigating the outbreak of violence," he said. Also read: Hindu widows entitled to a share in husband's property: Bangladesh High Court They also continue to remain vigilant to prevent any untoward disturbances, Srivastava added. The households were vandalised and later set on fire on Sunday after a Bangladeshi man, who lives in France, allegedly praised President Emmanuel Macron for taking steps against "inhumane ideologies" after a teacher in Paris was decapitated for showing caricatures of the Prophet, Bangladeshi officials had said. To a separate question on fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, Srivastava said his bail application was rejected on October 26 by a UK court and a hearing was also held in the case on November 3. The next hearing is on January 7-8, 2021 and till then Nirav Modi will be in judicial custody, he said. On the Kerala gold smuggling case, Srivastava said one accused has been arrested by the NIA and he cannot comment as the matter is under investigation.

India discusses violence targeting Hindus with Bangladesh, incident being probed: MEA

The inland waterways route between Tripura and Bangladesh is made operational when Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Kumar Deb received a barge with a consignment of cement from Bangladesh.

Tripura-Bangladesh waterways route made operational