'Dhaka not alone in fight against terror'

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said Bangladesh should not consider itself alone in the fight against terrorism and reiterated his country's full support to Dhaka.

He and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were inaugurating through videoconferencing a modern Integrated Check Post at Benapole-Petrapole, the biggest land port in South Asia.

The Indian PM termed Hasina's leadership an example for the entire South Asian region, according to our New Delhi correspondent.

Modi joined the video conference from the Prime Minister's Office in New Delhi and the Bangladesh PM from the Gono Bhaban in Dhaka. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee joined in from Kolkata.

In his speech, Modi said, “It's a matter of pain for me as well as for the people of my country that there were two terror incidents in Dhaka and Kishoreganj during the holy month of Ramadan. It's a sad moment when temples and their priests as also civilians were subjected to inhumane torture."

Hasina in her speech described the inauguration of the Integrated Check Post as another special and memorable day for Bangladesh and India, and said it would open up a new horizon in bilateral cooperation in the region, reports BSS.

“The day is also very significant  in terms of mutual exchange between Bangladesh and India,” she noted.

Terming inter-country trade as the main driving force for domestic economy, Hasina said the two governments have already taken various measures to further boost the trade ties.

“…the Petrapole check post is a “milestone” in the efforts for welfare of the people of India and Bangladesh,” the Indian PM said adding, “India and Bangladesh are walking shoulder to shoulder along the path of development.”

Stressing that economic development and connectivity are closely linked to each other, Modi said the Petrapole-Benapole integrated check post will serve to foster more economic integration and connectivity between India and Bangladesh.

He said India's development is linked with the development of all its neighbours. He also thanked Mamata Banerjee for officially joining the inauguration of the check post and said he appreciated her role in improving India-Bangladesh relations.

 Modi began his speech by wishing Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to “brothers and sisters of Bangladesh on my behalf and on behalf of the people of India”.

Hasina hoped the mutual trade and commerce would further expand following the inauguration of the ICP at Benapole-Petrapole point.

She mentioned that it was necessary to modernise Benapole-Petrapole land ports as the major portion of the goods of bilateral trades is transported through these ports.

The PM also hoped that recent development of the infrastructure there would ensure completion               of trade-friendly service-oriented activities between the two  countries.

About the impact of the newly built integrated check post, Hasina said it would not only expand trade and commerce but also play a role in strengthening inter-connectivity between the two countries.

"Besides, it will help complete all immigration formalities of the      visitors travelling to and from    India more quickly than before," she said.

                Hasina thanked Modi and Mamata for setting up the ICP at Petrapole according to the earlier commitment of their government.

Mamata said, "It is a historic day. The biggest land port has begun its journey. A new horizon has opened. Business worth Rs 68,000 crore is involved in this land port set up on 100 acres of land."

Pointing out that West Bengal is the gateway to Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, she said, "We want to develop our relationship."

Assuring all-out help, the West Bengal chief minister said her government has decided to set up a police station at Petrapole.

Diplomatic circle in Dhaka has termed the initiative another move towards stronger ties and said it shows the relations between the two neighbours have reached a new height.

According to the High Commission of India, around 70-80% of the India-Bangladesh trade passes through Petrapole. Trade worth around $5 billion takes place at Petrapole, which is more than all the other Indian land ports and land customs stations put together.

Approximately 1.2 million people and 150,000 trucks cross Petrapole-Benapole every year.

Officials said the Petrapole ICP is envisaged to overcome the infrastructural bottlenecks to provide facilities for effective and efficient discharge of functions such as security, immigration, customs, quarantine, etc. while also providing support facilities for smooth cross-border movement of persons, goods and transport.

This is the second international-standard multi-purpose Integrated Check Post (ICP) between the two countries. The first along the Akhaura-Agartala point on India-Bangladesh border was opened in November 2013.

Earlier on March 23 this year, both Hasina and Modi had their last video conference when they inaugurated the supply of 10GBps broadband internet from Bangladesh to India and 100MW power from India to Bangladesh.