Ground-level cooperation needed to check all border incidents: Modi to PM Hasina
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said ground-level cooperation is needed to check all those incidents happening along the India-Bangladesh border.
The Indian PM came up with the remark when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested him to look after the matter properly so that the sad border incidents could be reduced to zero.
The border incidents between the two neighbouring countries were discussed during the bilateral meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office.
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
"Ground-level cooperation will help check this kind of incident,"Ihsanul Karim quoted the Indian prime minister as saying.
Water-sharing
Talking about the water-sharing of common rivers, including that of the Teesta River, Hasina said the decision of signing the Teesta water-sharing treaty was taken jointly nine years back.
"But it's yet to be implemented," she said adding that the people living in the vicinity of the Teesta River have been suffering a lot.
In reply, the Indian PM said, "We're committed to a reasonable solution to sharing of water of all the rivers."
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Hasina expected more active role of India regarding the repatriation of over one million Rohingyas.
She mentioned that the Rohingyas should be repatriated as soon as possible for preventing their involvement in drug business and terrorist activities. "The sooner, the better," she said.
In reply, Modi said India wants sustainable return of the refugees.
Hasina also thanked the Indian government for sending Covid-19 vaccine to Bangladesh and said this reflects India's 'neighbour first' policy.
She said the first commercial consignment of Covid-19 vaccine has been used and hoped that the rest of the consignments will be delivered soon.
Hasina also thanked the Indian PM for giving 1.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine as gift.
DHAKA-DELHI TO ACCELERATE MOMENTUM; EYE NEXT 50 YEARS DIVERSIFIED TIES
Bangladesh and India today also agreed to accelerate the momentum that exists between the countries with an eye on next 50 years of cooperation in diversified areas.
The two countries also laid emphasis on having enhanced connectivity, not just between Bangladesh and India but beyond the two countries to ensure broader economic benefits.
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla shared the outcome of talks between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi this evening.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami was present during the briefing.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raised the Teesta issue while the Indian prime minister reiterated India's commitment to that end," he said.
Responding to a question, Shringla said the Rohingya issue is an important issue which was discussed.
He said India shares border with both Bangladesh and Myanmar and will continue to work for safe, speedy and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The Indian foreign secretary touched upon all areas of cooperation at the briefing at a city hotel that lasted till 8:30pm.
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