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OPINION MAY 24, 2024 | The Indian Eye 10

Strengthening Relations

between India and Bangladesh

DR. DHRUBAJYOTI BHATTACHARJEE

he Indian Foreign Secretary
Vinay Kwatra visited Dhaka
Tfrom 8–9 May. He was the
first high-level Indian official to vis-
it Bangladesh after the election of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s new
government in January 2024. As Ban-
gladesh remains a principal pillar of
India’s “Neighborhood First Policy”,
this visit was important and is accord-
ed high priority in strengthening ex-
isting bilateral ties.
During the visit, FS Kwatra
met Prime Minister Hasina, For-
eign Minister Hasan Mahmud, and
his counterpart, Foreign Secretary
Masud Bin Momen. FS Kwatra for-
warded an official invitation for PM
Hasina to visit New Delhi.
FS Momen stated that the visit
of FS Kwatra was primarily to invite
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to
New Delhi. It should be noted that Bangladesh plans to dredge and develop its section of the Teesta River, a $1 billion Teesta River Comprehensive Management
Prime Minister Hasina has also been and Restoration project (Agency photo)
officially invited to visit China. As
parliamentary elections are ongoing develop its section of the Teesta Riv- deep-sea port, as it will significantly About the unfortunate loss of in-
in India, dates will be finalized once er, a $1 billion Teesta River Com- accentuate the trade volume from nocent lives of citizens in cross-bor-
the elections are over and a new gov- prehensive Management and Resto- the port. He mentioned that this der firing to curb smuggling and
ernment is formed in New Delhi. ration project. It is scheduled to be port might act as a trade facilitator animal trafficking, discussions be-
When asked by reporters when PM built near the Siliguri Corridor, also not only for the northeastern states tween the two officials stressed the
Hasina will be visiting Beijing and called the “chicken’s neck”, which of India but will also majorly bene- increased exchange of information
New Delhi, Foreign Minister Mah- remains strategically important for fit Nepal and Bhutan economically. between the border forces of India
mud, evading a direct reply, stated India. China has been aspiring to be He further stated that the port is and Bangladesh, the Indian Bor-
that New Delhi is geographically part of this project and has already being developed with the assistance der Security Force (BSF) and the
closer to Dhaka than Beijing. submitted a proposal. FS Kwatra, of the Japan International Cooper- Bangladeshi Rifles (BDR), which
During the discussions with his during this visit, expressed India’s ation Agency (JICA), and the par-
counterpart, FS Kwatra proposed interest in financing this project. ticipation of India in the project will FS Momen stressed on the use of
non-lethal weapons during such
projects on the River Teesta. Discus- As a responsible and reliable devel- strengthen trilateral cooperation. raids.
sions were also held on the unfortu- opment partner, India proposes to There have also been reports Any visit between the officials
nate loss of lives of innocent citizens share responsibilities per the needs that Bangladeshi businessmen and between India and Bangladesh is giv-
in cross-border firing, the need to of the Bangladesh government. For- people in need of medical assistance en significant importance, and simi-
ease the issuance of Indian visas for eign Minister Mahmud hoped that are facing problems obtaining Indian larly, FS Kwatra’s visit was also given
businessmen and in health tourism, after the formation of a new gov- visas. During the visit, both sides reit- much attention, as it is an important
and cooperating in the development ernment in India, there would be a erated the need to ease the issuance visit, charting the path of Prime Min-
of the Matarbari deep sea port in positive discussion on water sharing of visas for smooth people-to-peo- ister Hasina’s visit to New Delhi in
Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox’s Bazar agreements on the Teesta River, ple contact. FS Momen did mention the forthcoming months.
District, Bangladesh. which has been held up since 2011, that, though the process of obtaining *****
Both FS Kwatra and FS Momen and the renewal of the 1996 Ganges Indian visas has become simpler and
Dr. Dhrubajyoti Bhattacharjee is a
reviewed India-Bangladesh ties, en- Water Sharing Treaty. faster due to the volume of applica- Research Fellow at the Indian Council
compassing issues related to politi- While having discussions with tions, there is further scope for eas- of World Affairs, New Delhi. The views
cal and security matters, water, and FM Mahmud and FS Momen, FS ing the issuance of visas. FS Kwatra expressed are personal.
strengthening in the sectors of de- Kwatra emphasized the need for stated that the Indian High Com-
fense, trade and investments, power Bangladeshi exports to India. FS mission has increased and strength- This article first appeared
and energy, connectivity and sub-re- Momen stated that there is signifi- ened its staff for the resolution of on the website (www.icwa.in) of Indian
gional cooperation. cant scope for Indian participation the problem, which he hoped to be Council of World Affairs, New Delhi,
Bangladesh plans to dredge and in the development of the Matarbari resolved in the forthcoming months. on May 14, 2024

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