DHAKA, Feb 15, 2021 (BSS) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned
upcoming Dhaka visit aims to carry forward ties with Bangladesh for next half
a century as the tour coincides with the 50-year bilateral relations, India’s
High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami said here today.
“The objective of the (Modi’s) visit is of course to consolidate our
friendship and to carry it forward for the next 50 years,” he said.
The envoy was speaking at the DCAB talk organised by Diplomatic
Correspondent Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club
here.
Indian Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Dhaka on March 26 at the
invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to join the 50th anniversary
celebration of Independence of Bangladesh and the Birth Centenary of
Bangladesh’s Founding Father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th
year of bilateral ties.
“We haven’t formally announced the visit, but it is planned that the Prime
Minister will be here … to join you in celebrating the most momentous
anniversary on the calendar,” Doraiswami said.
He said officials of both the countries are working on different
instruments that would be signed between the two nations during the visit.
“We are working on a number of outcomes (of the visit), many things are to
be finalised between the line ministries and agencies” he said.
Besides joining the celebration on March 26, Modi is likely to join the
bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 27, foreign
secretary Masud bin Momen told media earlier.
Before the prime minister level talks, Indian foreign minister J Shankar is
also likely to visit Dhaka for finalizing the agendas of the PM-level talk.
During the talk, the high commissioner touched upon all major bilateral
issues between Bangladesh and India that includes water sharing, border
killing, vaccine cooperation, trade and maritime boundaries.
Doraiswami said Bangladesh is special as a friend to India and the 1971 is
the foundation stone of the relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
“Friendship with Bangladesh is the cornerstone of India’s foreign policy,”
he said adding that strong, stable and prosperous Bangladesh is Indian
fundamental national interest.
Therefore, Doraiswami urged all to dismiss such conspiracy theories those
suggested that India is somehow not interest in Bangladesh’s development.
Noting that there is bipartisan consensus in India about the importance of
Bangladesh, he said, “So, you have seen central government (of India) has
changed but Bangladesh remains one of the most important partners of India.”
He said India believes that both sides must be benefited through Dhaka-New
Delhi relations.
About the water sharing issue with Bangladesh, the high commissioner said
the Indian government is trying very hard to materialize the much awaited
Teesta agreement. “We will continue to try hard (regarding this),” he said.
He said India has internal dynamics regarding the water sharing as the
issue is entirely within the mandate of the state governments. “I am not
saying this is a good thing … but this is the reality as it exists and we
are dealing with the reality,” he added.
However, the envoy said, India remains committed to share water of all
joint rivers with Bangladesh.
He said the two countries are working closely on an interim water-sharing
framework for six rivers with progress on data harmonization.
The envoy said India has offered Covid-19 vaccines to Bangladesh Armed
Forces. “We will be happy to provide vaccine to Bangladesh Armed Forces,”
said.
India earlier supplied two million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to
Bangladesh as gift. Bangladesh is also buying bulk amount of the much-needed
vaccine from the Serum Institute of India.
About the Killing incident along the Bangladesh India border, the high
commissioner said nobody wants any death at the border.
He underlined the need for joint efforts from both the sides to prevent
violent clashes along the frontiers and also suggested encouraging economic
activities in the border areas to avoid such tragic incidents of live loses.
About the Rohingya crisis, the high commissioner said India is ready to
extend any kind of support to Bangladesh in managing the situation.
As a new member of United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Doraiswami said
India will try to add some pragmatic result-oriented approach at the UNSC to
resolve the crisis.
“We should be facilitated the return (of Rohingyas) from Bangladesh to
Myanmar,” he said.
Replying to a question, the Indian High Commissioner said the trail of
Pakistani genocide committed during the Liberation War in 1971 can take place
anytime as there is no statute of limitation in terms of time.
DCAB president Pantha Rahaman and general secretary AKM Moinuddin also
spoke on the occasion.