India, Bangladesh sign seven pacts after Modi-Hasina talks

India and Bangladesh on Saturday (October 5) signed seven deals and launched three projects after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina and covered a wide range of topics.

The pacts signed after Modi-Hasina talks paved a way to broad-base their ties and provided for deeper cooperation between the two countries in terms of water resources, education, youth affairs, coastal surveillance, and culture.

One of the projects included import of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) from Bangladesh for distribution in the North Eastern states.

In a brief media statement, Modi said that India accords priority to its ties with Bangladesh and that increasing cooperation between the two neighbouring countries should be an example for the entire world.

“I am happy that today’s talks will further energise our bilateral ties,” he said in Hasina’s presence.

Modi said that in the past one year, the two sides launched a total of 12 projects, including three inaugurated on Saturday.

In her remarks, Hasina said that ties between the two countries have been on an upswing in the last few years including in areas of maritime security, civil nuclear energy and trade.

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had visited Hasina.

“EAM @DrSJaishankar had a warm conversation with Bangladesh PM #SheikhHasina. Reaffirmed India’s highest priority to her relations with Bangladesh,” said External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Twitter.

Taking our ties to the next higher level ????

EAM @DrSJaishankar had a warm conversation with Bangladesh PM #SheikhHasina. Reaffirmed India’s highest priority to her relations with Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/8UyqztMiyj

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 5, 2019

The Bangladeshi prime minister arrived at New Delhi here on a four-day visit on Thursday (October 3). She attended the World Economic Forum on Thursday and Friday (October 4).

This is her first visit to India after parliamentary elections were held in Bangladesh and India.

(With inputs from agencies)