Dhaka, Delhi to have multiple engagements in Dec to advance ties

FS to visit Delhi ahead of PM-level talks next month

FE Team | Published: November 14, 2020 21:38:40

Bangladesh and India will chart out plans to take the "rock-solid and historic" Dhaka-Delhi relation to the next level expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries with a number of engagements in December, officials say, reports UNB.
To that end, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will visit New Delhi in the second week of December to get engaged in consultation with India ahead of the Prime Minister-level virtual meeting next month.
"The purpose of his (FS) visit is mainly consultation ahead of Prime Minister-level talks as the two countries have vast issues to discuss," a senior official told the news agency confirming Foreign Secretary's Delhi visit.
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will hold a summit meeting virtually in the third week of December, most probably on December 17, if not on December 16, another official said.
There are indications from both sides that PM Modi will also visit Bangladesh in person if the Covid-19 situation improves.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, earlier, indicated the signing of bilateral agreements at that time but did not elaborate.
Keeping Mujib Barsho, the golden jubilee of liberation, and the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, both sides hope to add more success stories like peaceful settlement of land boundary agreement and maritime boundary, said a diplomatic source.
The two countries are giving much emphasis on enhancing trade and commerce through utilising river and road communication, exploring opportunities in blue economy and other areas.
On November 05, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Serum Institute of India and Beximco Pharma of Bangladesh for priority delivery of 30 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh.
The two countries also established air bubble arrangements between the two countries.
On Friday, Dr Momen said India is a very close friend of Bangladesh with historic bonding between the two countries. "It's solid and we're passing through a golden chapter in our relations."
He said the two countries set an example showing the height of leadership maturity.
Bangladesh has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh on March 26 in person to jointly celebrate the Independence Day of Bangladesh.
"We've invited him (Narendra Modi) and they accepted the invitation in principle," Dr Momen said.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami has assured that the planned virtual summit in December between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi is not being seen as a substitute for in person visit by Prime Minister Modi.
It will rather be a complementary summit, he said during his recent meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam.
Bangladesh and India are in talks to hold a Water Resources Secretary-level meeting in December before the Minister-level talks between the two countries on water issues, officials said.
The two countries expressed optimism to hold a Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) meeting this year to discuss water sharing of common rivers.