In a recent online event, India and Bangladesh convened for a virtual summit, delving into various facets of bilateral relations. They also deliberated on regional and international matters. Bangladesh extended an invitation to India to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and the 50-year milestone of India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties, scheduled for March 2021.
Bilateral Documents, Project Inauguration, and Cooperation Expansion
The summit marked seven new agreements, expanding their cooperation in several areas like hydrocarbons, elephant conservation, sanitation, and agriculture. Additionally, a cross-border rail link was restored, which had been operational until 1965. Included in the summit was the inauguration of a digital exhibition featuring Mahatma Gandhi and Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
Enhanced Health Cooperation Amidst COVID-19
India reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Bangladesh, particularly in the health sector, amidst the pandemic. India ensured that vaccines for Covid-19 would be available to Bangladesh once produced. Moreover, it offered collaboration in therapeutics and vaccine production.
Cultural Cooperation & Commemorative Celebrations
India and Bangladesh jointly revealed a commemorative postal stamp issued by India for the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The countries also discussed potential future collaborations, including naming a historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nodia on the Bangladesh-India border as “Shadhinota Shorok”, to commemorate its significance during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.
Strengthened Border Management and Security Cooperation
The countries agreed to hold the Joint Boundary Conference to prepare new strip maps for delineating boundaries. They concurred on converting the International Boundary along the Kuhsiyara river into a fixed boundary. Additionally, both nations stressed the importance of full implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan to tackle smuggling.
Reinforced Trade Partnership & Economic Growth
The summit saw Bangladesh appreciate India’s Duty-Free and Quota Free access to Bangladeshi exports under South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) since 2011. The countries emphasized addressing non-tariff barriers and trade facilitation to fully leverage SAFTA flexibility.
Restored Connectivity for Mutual Prosperity
The newly restored railway link between Haldibari (India) and Chilahati (Bangladesh) was inaugurated during the summit. The leaders welcomed the signing of the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT).
Cooperation in Power, Energy & Water Resources
Bangladesh highlighted the need for an early agreement for sharing of the Teesta waters. Both countries agreed to expedite project implementations including the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline and several power projects.
Addressing the Rohingya Crisis
India appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts of sheltering 1.1 million displaced people from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, in the ongoing Rohingya crisis.
Regional and Global Partnerships
Both countries recognized their shared role in achieving early reforms of the UN Security Council and climate change combat. Furthermore, Bangladesh thanked India for creating the SAARC Emergency Response Fund to mitigate pandemic effects in the South Asian region and expressed gratitude for India’s invite to join the New Development Bank.
