The two-day Bangladesh-India High Commissioners' meeting concluded Saturday with the call for widening economic engagement between the two neighbouring countries, particularly focusing on increasing flow of goods and investments.
The former envoys also agreed to work together for increasing mutual trust, amity, cooperation, equality and inclusive growth based on social justice and respect of diversity, protecting democratic values and rights of the people.
On behalf of the high commissioners, professor of International Relations Department of Dhaka University (DU) Imtiaz Ahmed announced the statement formally at a press conference held at the DU Senate Building.
Former Indian High Commissioners to Dhaka, Muchkund Dubey, IS Chadha, Deb Mukharji, Pinak R Chakravarty, Rajeet Mitter and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Harun-Ur-Rashid, Faruq Ahmed Chowdhury and Mostafa Faruque Mohammed, among others, were present on the occasion.
Their statement includes a nine-point recommendation to improve bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
The high commissioners' meeting also stressed the need for undertaking a holistic approach in exploring and utilising shared and other natural resources for mutual benefit of the people of two bordering countries.
More than a dozen of former diplomats suggested the government of Bangladesh and India to intensify their efforts to strengthen relationship between the two countries by taking a holistic approach in addressing bilateral issues and challenges.
They also agreed upon recognising the importance of deeper and effective communications through greater flow of information and contacts between academics, media, corporate sectors and other stakeholders to enhance mutual trust.
The attending high commissioners also called upon the respective governments to work mutually in respect of security-related issues by strengthening cooperation at sub-regional and regional levels with particular focus on SAARC and BIMSTEC.
When asked about the impact of the announcement, Prof Imtiaz said they will provide a copy of the statement to the respective governments so that they can take necessary steps in this connection.
He said considering the issue they also decided to create a platform of the high commissioners of two countries for regular interactions to share their experiences among themselves and other stakeholders.
Prof Imtiaz said the former high commissioners also agreed to arrange a regular biennial meeting and the next meeting will be held in India in 2016.
DU International Relations Department, in collaboration with India-Bangladesh Foundation, arranged the high-level conference where a dozen of former and present high commissioners and academicians of the two countries attended different sessions.
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