On December 17, Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina held a virtual summit via video conferencing.
Both the PM spoke about including further strengthening cooperation in the post-Covid-19 era. The summit was held a day after India marked Vijay Divas, celebrating victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, “Bangladesh is a significant pillar of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy. To strengthen relations with Bangladesh has been a priority for me since the first day.”
PM Sheikh Hasina, in turn, said that India is Bangladesh’s true friend.
“This year has been full of challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, there has been good co-operation between our countries in the sphere of working with health professions, COVID-19 vaccine etc,” PM Modi added.
Key Points to Look Upon:
- The two leaders jointly inaugurated a Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition, a pre-1965 railway link, released a commemorative stamp on Sheikh Mujibur Rehman’s birth centenary (Mujib Borsho) and signed seven pacts to form an India-Bangladesh CEOs forum with IT sector as a priority area.
“It is a matter of pride for me that I am getting to release a digital exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. They will continue to inspire our youths,” Modi said.
Bangladesh PM Hasina, meanwhile, paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 war. “I pay my gratitude to the govt and people of India who extended wholehearted support for the cause of our liberation,” she said. Hasina also commended the Modi government over its handling of the pandemic.
- The Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition will be displayed in New Delhi, and subsequently in different locations in Bangladesh, the United Nations and finally culminate in Kolkata in early 2022.
India and Bangladesh have been making efforts to enhance transport and connectivity. Officials said that the leadership on both sides have been committed to reviving and operationalising the six pre-1965 rail links between India and Bangladesh. With the inauguration of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link, five links are currently operational.
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