‘A futuristic vision of cooperation’: from the blue economy to space and railways, Prime Minister Modi, Hasina’s collection of pacts with Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina met at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday in a bilateral meeting and signed a series of agreements focusing on strengthening cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the areas of maritime, healthcare, railways, telecommunications, “ green and blue sectors of the economy and information technology.

Prime Minister Modi and Hasina held wide-ranging talks and signed key pacts aimed at strengthening cooperation in the digital sphere and building a ‘green partnership’. Pacts were also signed to strengthen links in the maritime and blue economy spheres.

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh began her two-day visit to India on Friday.

This is the first bilateral state visit by a foreign leader after the formation of the new government in India after the Lok Sabha elections.

An agreement on railway connections was also signed.

“Today we have prepared a futuristic vision of cooperation in new areas. “The youth of both countries will benefit from the consensus reached on cooperation in areas such as ecological partnership, digital partnership, blue economy and space,” Prime Minister Modi said in his media statement.

Speaking to the media, his counterpart made it a point to emphasize that India remains a trusted friend and major neighbor.

“India is our main neighbor, trusted friend and regional partner. “Bangladesh greatly values ​​our relationship with India, which was born out of the 1971 Liberation War.” Hasina said.

The Bangladesh Awami League chief said the meetings were productive and discussed cooperation in the areas of security, trade, connectivity, water sharing from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation.

“We agreed to work together for the good of our citizens and countries. We had very productive meetings today where we discussed cooperation in the areas of security, trade, connectivity, water sharing from shared rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation,” Hasina said.

She also paid tribute to the “brave fallen heroes of India” who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 war.

“I remember with gratitude the contribution of the Indian government and people to the independence of Bangladesh,” she further added.

A look at the key pacts signed

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Masood Bin Momen and Indian Foreign Minister Vinay Kwatra exchanged important documents during the signing of agreements between the two nations.

Below are the agreements signed between New Delhi and Dhaka:

• India-Bangladesh Green Partnership Memorandum of Understanding: This agreement focuses on environmental initiatives and sustainable development goals.
• MoU on India-Bangladesh Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy: The MoU focuses on strengthening maritime security, fostering cooperation between the two countries and exploring new opportunities in the blue economy sector.
• Memorandum of Understanding on India-Bangladesh Cooperation in Health and Medicine: Renewed.
• Memorandum of Understanding between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) and Bangladesh Ministry of ICT and Telecommunication: This agreement focuses on enhancing cooperation in space technology and satellite communications. The signatories from the respective countries were President and CEO of Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd Shahjahan Mehmood and Department of Space Secretary Somnath.
• Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Ministry of Railways: The objective of the agreement is to improve rail connectivity and facilitate cross-border transportation.
• Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Oceanography: aims to deepen cooperation to conduct joint research and exploration in the field of ocean sciences.
• Memorandum of Understanding between NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) and Bangladesh Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief: Aims to cooperate on disaster management strategies and resilience efforts.
• Memorandum of Understanding between DSSC (Defense Services Staff College) Wellington and DSCSC (Defense Services Command and Staff College) Mirpur: aims to promote cooperation in military education and strategic studies.

In the morning, Hasina visited Rajghat and paid lavish tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Before the talks, the visiting leader was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan courtyard.

Hasina was among seven top leaders from India’s neighborhood and the Indian Ocean region who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union Cabinet on June 9.

(with agency details)