Bangladesh, India to focus on eco-friendly transportation, green tech

Bangladesh and India will be focusing on eco-friendly transportation and green technologies in the coming days, while taking forward the pending issues in the relationship.

Indian Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said this after holding a meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Masud Bin Momen, at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka today.

"We discussed a whole range of issues. There were no major differences. There are only areas that we can take forward. We will be focusing on promoting eco-friendly ways of communication, including rail and river, renewable energy, environmental opportunities and digital cooperation -- issues that engage the youths," he told journalists after the meeting.

The connectivity projects are going very well. Now there are five of the six rail connections restored and the sixth one, Akhaura-Agartala railway, will be completed next year. Also, Chilahati-Haldibari route will be officiated soon, he said.

"We want to promote eco-friendly ways, railway is one of that," he said.

Shringla, who arrived this morning on a two-day visit, will call on Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Road Transport and Bridges Minster Obaidul Quader, and join a reception at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka today. Tomorrow, he will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The visit comes ahead of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind's visit to Bangladesh on December 15-17 when he will join the 50th Victory Day celebrations of Bangladesh. Primarily, preparation for the visit is the purpose of Shringla visit, but he is also discussing the bilateral issues that are pended and the new areas of cooperation.

"We have discussed wide range of issues of our common interests. Our relationship is doing very well. It is a time when two countries can celebrate Bangladesh's victory day celebrations," Shringla said. 

Stating that both the people of India and Bangladesh sacrificed their lives, their blood for the independence of Bangladesh, he said, "This is very rare. We are proud to be part of your celebration and independence."

Masud Bin Momen said they had a very fruitful discussion on the pending issues including connectivity, green energy, green technology, e-commerce and ways of how both the countries can go forward.

"We also discussed on how we can make our border peaceful, boost trade and Covid-19 cooperation. Now the Omicron variety is spreading and more may come. Bangladesh cannot be safe if India is not safe and also India cannot be safe if Bangladesh is not safe," he added.