Indo-Bangla relations on positive trajectory

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar yesterday said Bangladesh-India relationship was on a “positive trajectory”.

“Good to see our ties on such a positive trajectory,” he said before leaving Dhaka for Kathmandu in the morning.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Riva Ganguly Das saw him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 10:30am, said an official.

Jaishankar said he had “productive discussions” with his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday.

The Indian minister met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Gono Bhaban on the same day.

Bangladesh and India are working to find “mutually acceptable formulas” to share water of 54 common rivers keeping India’s commitment to resolving Teesta issue unchanged.

Jaishankar said India’s partnership with Bangladesh remains an example of what neighbours can do if they work together as two partners.

He said the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is determined to ensure that this partnership is truly a role model in South Asia and for the world.

The minister said they would like to offer all possible support to realise Bangladesh’s development agenda which was in India’s interest as well.

India is a leading development partner of Bangladesh as it has extended concessional lines of credit to the tune of around $8 billion.