Talks on CEPA soon to boost BD's export to India: Modi

NEW DELHI, Sept 6 (UNB): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said rising energy prices are presently posing a challenge to all developing countries and fruitful talks between Bangladesh and India are underway on connecting power transmission lines.

"The unveiling of the first unit of Maitree Thermal Power Plant today will increase the availability of affordable electricity in Bangladesh," he said after his "extensive discussions" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on all bilateral, regional and international issues.

The Indian PM said his country is the largest market in Asia for Bangladesh's exports and to further "accelerate" this growth, they will soon start discussions on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). "Our bilateral trade is growing rapidly."

Modi said the two economies will be able to connect more with each other, support each other with the expansion of connectivity between the two countries and the development of trade infrastructure on the border.

The Indian PM said he had a "fruitful conversation" with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on enhancing cooperation in relation to flood mitigation.

He said India has been sharing flood-related data with Bangladesh on a real-time basis and we have also extended the period of data sharing.

There are 54 rivers that pass through the Indo-Bangladesh border, and have been linked to the livelihood of the people of the two countries for centuries.