External Affairs Minister (EAM) called on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Sheikh Hasina today (22 October 2017) at Gonobhaban. The meeting took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere in the presence of senior officials from both sides. EAM conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. EAM informed the Prime Minister about the discussions at the JCC on various aspects of the bilateral relationship, which focused on, inter alia, security, trade and connectivity, development cooperation, power, energy and sub-regional cooperation.  

On the issue of displaced persons from Rakhine State, External Affairs Minister reaffirmed India’s continued support in responding to the influx. Under ‘Operation Insaniyat’, India provided 1000 tons of relief material for about 5,00,000 displaced persons. Prime Minister appreciated the help extended by India. EAM stressed that India was deeply concerned at the situation in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.  It is imperative that normalcy in the State is restored expeditiously and a lasting solution found at the earliest.

The EAM gifted to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh memorabilia of the Liberation War of 1971 to be displayed in the Liberation War Museum. The memorabilia includes military equipment utilized by the joint forces of India and Bangladesh during the Liberation War of 1971 as well as large number of artifacts and documents including historical photographs, archival audio and video clippings, maps, battle records, newspaper clippings, documentary films etc. [Details of the memorabilia are enclosed in a brochure in PDF format]. The memorabilia is proposed to be displayed at Bangladesh National Museum, Shahbagh and Museum of Independence, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka.

The External Affairs Minister of India co-chaired the 4th Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) along with Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The two Ministers discussed various bilateral cooperation, identified thrust areas and reviewed the progress made following the visits of the Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh in June 2015 and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in April 2017. Following the JCC, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh handed over the Instrument of Ratification of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to the External Affairs Minister of India. Two (2) MoUs were  signed in the presence of the Ministers at the JCC. These were: (1) MoU between HMT and International Institute of Diploma Engineers of Bangladesh, Khulna for establishment of vocational training institute. Government of India shall provide a grant assistance to the tune of Rs.9.97 crores for establishing this skill development centre in Khulna which will have Tool and Die manufacturing facility as well as a dairy processing plant. (2) Sale Purchase Agreement between Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPC) for supply of gasoil. This is pursuant to the MoU signed between NRL and BPC in April 2015 for the implementation of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline project (IBFPL).

A cheque of equivalent to BDT 10 cores was also handed over to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) for the maintenance of inland waterway routes under the framework of the Protocol on Inland Water Transport Authority (PIWTT) used by both India and Bangladesh.

22 October 2017

Dhaka

****