Keeping in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a new line of Concessional Credit (lOC) of $4.5 billion for Dhaka for the implementation of various developmental projects following “productive” talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. Besides, an additional lOC of $500 million will be given to Bangladesh for procurement of military supplies. This is the third lOC to Bangladesh from India. Significantly, Modi maintained that only his Government alone with that of Hasina’s can find a solution to the Teesta River water issue.
India also announced a highly liberalised visa policy for Bangladeshi nationals, a large number of scholarships for students, training programmes for military, judicial and other officials for the benefit of people in the neighbouring country.
In all, 22 agreements including frameworks for cooperation in Defence, civil nuclear and space were signed between India and Bangladesh following the talks between Modi and Hasina. Nearly 12 more agreements are lined up in the business sector to be signed on Monday.
later, at an event to honour of Indian soldiers who lost life in Bangladesh liberation War of 1971, Modi made a veiled attack on Pakistan, saying there is a mindset in South Asia, which encourages and patronises terrorism. “There is a mentality in South Asia opposed to the approach of India and Bangladesh to promote development; this mentality nurtures and inspires terrorism. The mentality which influences those who plan policies under it and which regards terrorism as higher than humanism, destruction greater than development and annihilation better than creation,” Modi said.
The much-awaited Teesta water sharing agreement and a pact on basin management of 54 other rivers did not happen but Modi assured Hasina that an early solution will be worked out on these issues too. During a statement before the media, Modi accepted that the Teesta Water Treaty was “important” for India-Bangladesh ties, and assured India’s commitment to the issue even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee looked on while sitting with Indian Ministers and officials. Banerjee also attended the lunch hosted by Modi for Hasina. Banerjee has been opposing the agreement.
“This (Teesta) is important for India, for Bangladesh and for India-Bangladesh relationship. I am very happy that the Chief Minister of West Bengal is my honoured guest today. I know that her feelings for Bangladesh are as warm as my own. I assure you and the people of Bangladesh of our commitment and continuing efforts. I firmly believe that it is only my Government and Excellency Sheikh Hasina, your Government, that can and will find an early solution to Teesta Water Sharing,” Modi said.
Terming their talks as productive, Modi mentioned the two countries resolve to step up cooperation in anti-terror operations and spread of radicalism, which the PM termed as a “grave threat” to the entire region. “While our partnership brings prosperity to our people, it also works to protect them from forces of radicalisation and extremism. Their spread poses a grave threat, not just to India and Bangladesh but to the entire region. We have the greatest admiration for PM Sheikh Hasina’s firm resolve in dealing with terrorism. Her Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism is an inspiration for all of us,” Modi at a joint media conference with Hasina.
India also announced several special packages for the families of Muktijodhas from Bangladesh even as Modi called to reject the mentality behind the tragedy imposed on Bangladesh. “Today is the day to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs of India and Bangladesh. Today is also the day to reject the abhorrent mentality behind the tragedy imposed on Bangladesh. I and the whole country salute the martyrs for the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers. The sacrifices and tribulations by the families of the martyrs are incomparable,” the PM said.
India will provide scholarships to more than 10,000 children of Muktijodhas, multiple entry visas valid for five years and also free medical treatment of 100 individuals every year in India. India has also liberalised its visa regime for all the Bangladesh residents
Stepping up their cooperation in the strategic sector, there were five pacts on Defence, including an overall framework agreement to streamline cooperation and engagement between India and Bangladesh. Other agreements were for training and exchanges besides the soft loan of $500 billion for Defence purchases.
On her part, Hasina said her Government will take all necessary steps to ensure peace and security along the Indo-Bangla border and asserted that there will be zero-tolerance against terror. “History of Bangladesh has been written by the blood of the Indian martyrs along with valiant freedom fighters of Bangladesh. We always remember with gratitude their contributions and sacrifices. We are grateful to the government and people of India for their extraordinary support to our war of liberation,” Hasina said at the event.
The two PMs also jointly inaugurated Kolkatta-Khulnar-Dhaka bus and train service, flagged off a freight rack carrying fuel from Radhikapur in India to Benapole in Bangladesh. The Indian Government also has renamed the RsPark Street’ in New Delhi after Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh and father of Hasina.