Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina talks with PM Modi today, seven agreements to be signed

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday on a four-day visit to further expand ties between the two countries. On the first day of the visit, several issues were discussed in the meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi. Hasina will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Seven agreements including river water sharing with Bangladesh will be signed

There will be bilateral talks between Sheikh Hasina and PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday. During this, seven agreements including water management, railways, science, and technology will be signed including Kushiyara river water sharing to give new heights to mutual relations and trade between the two countries. The agenda of the visit also includes increasing defense cooperation, strengthening regional transport connectivity, and striving for stability in South Asia.

1.42 lakh crore trade between the two countries

The emphasis of both countries is on increasing water, rail, and air connectivity to increase mutual trade. In the last five years, there has been a 100% increase in bilateral trade and it has reached from $ 9 billion to $ 18 billion i.e. about Rs 1.42 lakh crore. By increasing transport connectivity, India plans to take exports to $30 billion in the next two-three years. Significantly, India exported 16.15 billion dollars to Bangladesh in FY 2021 as compared to $ 9.69 billion in FY 2020.

significant potential in the medical field

India is becoming the medical hub of Bangladesh. India is the first choice of neighboring country for treatment. Last year, during the Corona period, 2.3 lakh Bangladeshi people got medical visas and got treatment in India. Unlike the medical visa, only 50,000 people came to India on a second visa. Because of the importance of the medical field, India can make some important announcements for Bangladesh.

Request for intervention in Rohingya case

Bangladesh had expressed hope for PM Modi to take personal initiative on the Rohingya issue. Now in bilateral talks, Sheikh Hasina will request India for the return of Rohingyas. Helping Rohingya Muslims on humanitarian grounds has now become a headache for Bangladesh. About 1.5 lakh Rohingya refugees are currently in Bangladesh. Many of these are involved in illegal activities.

The talk will also go ahead on Teesta water distribution

In the Sheikh Hasina-PM Modi meeting, the discussion on the Teesta water sharing agreement, which has been pending for more than a decade, will also move forward. A special request has been made by Bangladesh for this agreement in the 38th Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission of both countries before the visit. Due to opposition from the West Bengal government, this agreement is not being implemented.

Minister of State Darshana Jardosh received

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was received by Minister of State for Textiles and Railways Darshana Jardosh on her arrival in Delhi. Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi gave this information by tweeting. He said that this visit will further strengthen the multi-faceted relationship between the two countries.

India wants to keep Sheikh Hasina strong

Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina are very important for India from a diplomatic point of view. Hasina and her party Awami League have historically had good ties with India, while the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and its chief Khaleda Zia have been anti-India. Bangladesh had become a center of anti-India activities during Zia's rule. However, relations between the two countries improved after Sheikh Hasina became the Prime Minister. Bangladesh has consistently helped India in solving the problem of insurgency in the Northeast. That's why India wants to keep Hasina's chair strong.

Foreign Minister's absence became a discussion with the Bangladeshi PM

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Memon did not accompany Sheikh Hasina. The reason behind this has been given to his illness. However, there have been reports in the media that he was dropped from the delegation for some unnecessary statements made recently.

Menon had spoken to the media on Sunday afternoon about Sheikh Hasina's visit and her name was among those who visited India. Memon is said to have said at a Janmashtami event in Chittagong, "During my visit to India, I told them (Indian leadership) that Sheikh Hasina will have to be retained in power at all costs." Memon's statement was strongly criticized by political parties and citizens.

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