Dhaka, New Delhi sign 7 MoUs

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Dhaka and New Delhi today signed seven memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the second day of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day state visit to India at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The MoUs were exchanged between Bangladesh and India in presence of the two premiers of both the countries.

These are – MoU between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India and Ministry of Water Resources, Government of Bangladesh on withdrawal of Water by India and Bangladesh from common border river Kushiyara, MoU between the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), India and the Ministry of Railways of Bangladesh on training of Bangladesh Railway personnel in India, MoU between the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board), Government of India and the Ministry of Railways, Government of Bangladesh on Collaboration in IT systems such as FOIS and other IT applications for Bangladesh Railway.

The other instruments are – MoU between the National Judicial Academy, India and the Supreme court of Bangladesh on Training and Capacity Building Programe for Bangladesh Judicial Officers in India, MoU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India and Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Bangladesh, MoU on Cooperation in the Areas of Space Technology and MoU between the Prasar Bharti and Bangladesh Television (BTV) on Cooperation in Broadcasting.

Prior to signing of the MoUs, a bilateral talks between Bangladesh Prime Minister and her Indian counterpart held at the Hydrabad House here.

Issues involving mutual interests on security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, Rohingya, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling and human trafficking were top agendas during the talks.

Against the backdrop of the global economic downturn and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, the visit is considered very important as the two South Asian neighbors also discussed enhanced cooperation to overcome the crisis.

Prior to holding the bilateral talks, the two premiers had a tête-à-tête.
Earlier, at her arrival at the Hydrabad House, Narendra Modi received Sheikh Hasina and accorded her a ceremonial reception.

The Bangladesh Premier also inspected the guard of honour there. National anthems of the two countries were played.

After the bilateral talks, a joint Press statement was issued.

Video clips on the Maitree power plant, Rupsha Bridge, Supply of road construction equipment and machinery, Khulna-Darshana railway line, and Parbatipur-Kaunia railway line, were screened on the occasion.

Bangladesh Premier also handed a book on the historic March 7 speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that translated in various languages to her Indian counterpart.

Bangladesh High Commission to India published the book.

Sheikh Hasina also attended a luncheon hosted by Narendra Madi at the Hyderabad House in honour of her.

The Prime Minister started the second day of her four-day state tour to India by visiting the Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning where she was received by Narendra Modi with a ceremonial reception.

After visiting the Rashtrapati Bhaban, the Prime Minister went to Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat to pay rich tribute to the great Indian leader.

Sheikh Hasina is expected to have separate courtesy calls on Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar this afternoon.

On her first day of India visit, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar paid a call on the Bangladesh Premier at the summit room of her Place of Residence, ITC Maurya Hotel.

After the call-on, she visited the Nizamuddin Aulia’s Dargah and offered Nafal prayer and fateha there and munajat seeking blessings from the Almighty Allah for prosperity and welfare of the people and the nation and for the entire Muslim Ummah. (BSS)