'Relations Touching New Heights': PM Modi, Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina Inaugurate Key Projects
PM Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted development projects on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the relation between India and Bangladesh were "touching new heights" as he jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted development projects with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina via video conferencing. The projects, aimed at boosting energy and security in the region, includes the key Agartala-Akhaura rail project, Khulna-Mongla Port rail line and Unit–II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal.
"It is a matter of happiness that we have come together to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh cooperation. Our relations are touching new heights," PM Modi said.
Highlighting the close ties between India and Bangladesh, PM Modi underlined that three new rail services were started and inland waterways were developed for transport of passengers and goods in the last nine years.
Our partnership with Bangladesh is a key aspect of our Neighbourhood First policy and we are dedicated to further strengthen it. https://t.co/hijUSCT0ld
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2023
"For establishing peace, security and stability at the border, we signed the Land Boundary Agreement that had been delayed for decades. We also solved the maritime boundary," PM Modi said.
"In the last nine years, three new bus services have been started connecting Dhaka, Shillong, Agartala, Guwahati and Kolkata. Since 2020, parcel and container trains are also running between India and Bangladesh...By starting the world's biggest cruise, Ganga Vilas, between India and Bangladesh, tourism has received a boost," he pointed out.
Speaking at the event, Hasina praised PM Modi for his "commitment to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two countries".
"I would like to extend my deep appreciation and thankfulness to PM Modi. The screening (of Mujib: The Making Of A Nation, a biopic of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) is now going on, both in Bangladesh and India," Hasina said.
The movie, directed by Shyam Benegal, traces the formation of Bangladesh and the role of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Two Rail Links, Thermal Power Plant Inaugurated
The Agartala-Akhaura rail project has been the focus of both the nations as it will reduce travel time between Agartala and Kolkata via Dhaka, boosting cross-border trade. The 15-km rail link has 5 km within India and 10 km in Bangladesh.
"At present, it takes about 31 hours to reach Kolkata from Agartala by train, which will be reduced to just 10 hours," a government official told PTI. Around Rs 153 crore was allocated by the Indian Railways to expedite the project work.
The second rail project will see Mongla, the second largest port in Bangladesh, get broad-gauge railway network connectivity.
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