India and Bangladesh exchanged MoUs and Agreements in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Saturday. After signing MoUs, PM Modi and his counterpart Hasina issued a joint statement.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi reflected on the relationship between the two nations and highlighted the initiatives undertaken in the last one year.
"Bangladesh is situated at the confluence of our Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy, Vision Sagar and Indo-Pacific Vision. In the last one year, we have together completed many important projects of public welfare...Trade in Indian Rupees has started between the two countries. The world's longest river cruise on the Ganges River between India and Bangladesh has been successfully completed. The first cross-border friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh has been completed. Export of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid has become the first example of sub-regional cooperation in the energy sector. Implementing such a big initiative in so many areas in just one year reflects the speed and scale of our relations," PM Modi said.
During the joint press statement, the Prime Minister also shed light on the fact that the meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart was the first one after he came to power for a third tenure. "Though in the last one year, we have met 10 times, today's is a special meeting as PM Sheikh Hasina is our first state guest in our third tenure," he said.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said that India is a major neighbour and a trusted friend, and Bangladesh greatly values the relationship between the two nations.
"This is my first bilateral visit to any country after Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections and the formation of our new government in January 2024. India is our major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner. Bangladesh greatly values our relations with India, which were born during our war of liberation in 1971... I pay homage to the brave, fallen heroes of India who sacrificed their lives during our war of liberation in 1971," Sheikh Hasina said.
During the joint statement, Hasina also said, "I invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh to further strengthen the friendly relations between two countries."
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held bilateral talks with Sheikh Hasina at Hyderabad House in the national capital. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that PM Modi extended a warm welcome to his Bangladesh counterpart and said that the two leaders have met 10 times since 2019.
Hasina received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan early this morning. She arrived in India on Friday on a two-day state visit at the invitation of PM Modi.