India visit: Decisions taken to benefit both sides, says PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the people of the country will definitely vote for Awami League in the next general election for continuation of the present development spree, reports UNB.
"I firmly believe that people will definitely vote for Awami League if they want the ongoing development trend to continue. And if they don't want, there is nothing to do. It is their wish," she said at a press conference on her recent visit to India at her official residence Ganobhaban .
She said there is nothing wrong with the formation of new political alliances as her party wants participation of all parties in next election.
"We want all to participate in the election. If anyone doesn't join, it is up to the decision of the respective (political) party. But we can't halt the constitutional process. The democratic trend in line with the Constitution will continue," she said.
The PM went to New Delhi on September 5 at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
On her visit to India Sheikh Hasina said that her recent visit to India, after a gap of three years, has opened a new horizon in Bangladesh-India relations.
"Throughout the visit, we observed India's sincerity and commitment to continue cooperation between the two countries on the basis of equality and respect as good neighbours," she said at the press.
The premier said the people of both countries will be benefited if the decisions taken during her visit (Sept 5-8) to solve the existing bilateral problems and the areas of cooperation identified during the bilateral talks are implemented.
"After all, in the changed world situation, this visit would accelerate both the countries to move forward together in a new way. I firmly believe that this cooperation will continue for the welfare of the people of both countries. South Asia, including Bangladesh and India, will become a prosperous region soon," she said in her written speech.
Hasina said both Dhaka and New Delhi highlighted sincerity and pledges to continue cooperation between them on the basis of equality and respect as good neighbours.
She said the issues of Teesta water sharing, cessation of border killings, trade expansion, withdrawal of anti-dumping duty on Bangladesh jute products, repatriation of the Rohingyas, import of electricity from Nepal and Bhutan via India, were discussed.
The PM highlighted the significant achievements of her visit. These are: MoU on sharing water of Kushiara River allowing Bangladesh to withdraw 153 cusec of water from the river, consensus to bring down the border killing to zero, India agreeing to lift restrictions on rail communication and other cross-border rail links with Bhutan and take steps for giving advance messages to Bangladesh before stopping the export of essential food items like sugar, onion, ginger and garlic.
She also mentioned about the planned opening of historic "Swadhinata Road" from Mujibnagar in Bangladesh to the Bangladesh-India border.
In case of river pollution and common rivers, immediate steps will be taken to improve the environment and navigability of the rivers, IT solutions will be exchanged to enhance the quality of railway services, and the commerce officials of the two countries has been instructed to begin work for signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by 2022.