Modi assures Hasina of resolving Teesta, LBA issues

FE Team | Published: September 29, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

NEW YORK, Sept 27 (UNB): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday he is very much serious about resolving the pending issues like the Teesta water sharing treaty and the land boundary agreement (LBA) with Bangladesh.
Modi said this during his maiden meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at the New York Palace hotel.  "I'm very much serious, I'm searching for ways to resolve these issues," Modi said as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raised the pending issues during the meeting.
Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque briefed reporters after the meeting.  The foreign secretary said Sheikh Hasina told Modi that there are some issues remained unresolved between the two neighbouring countries, and wanted quick solution to those.
Hasina invited her Indian counterpart to visit Bangladesh at his convenient time. In reply, Modi said he was looking for an opportunity. "I'll visit Bangladesh very soon, our officers are working on this issue and hope they'll find a day for the visit," he said.
The foreign secretary said at the meeting, which was held in a very warm, relaxed and open environment, the Indian prime minister assured Hasina that New Delhi will always remain with Bangladesh for its development.
About regional cooperation and development, Hasina said the potential that exists in the South Asian regions will have to be harnessed together.
Agreeing with Hasina, Modi said, "We'll have to ensure development all together. The word of making development together comes prominently in my 'Look East Policy'.
The two leaders agreed to root out terrorism from the region, saying that there will be no development unless terrorism is eliminated.
PM's Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury was present on the occasion.
Hasina emphasised the need for the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor during the meeting.
Modi also responded positively when Hasina asked for his help to remove the barriers that are obstructing Bangladesh's direct land communications plan with Nepal and Bhutan.
Modi proposed to build and launch a satellite which would provide services to the SAARC member countries.
Mentioning Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's role in Bangladesh's independence, the Indian prime minister also praised his daughter's leadership.
He quoted Modi as saying, "Bangabandhu founded Bangladesh and his daughter saved Bangladesh."