Bangladesh PM holds talks with PM Modi; both nations exchange agreements

Edited by: Divya Thearia

6th September 2022( New Delhi): Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a four-day state visit to meet Indian leaders and strengthen their close ties.
On Tuesday, Hasina meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and issues related to trade, connectivity, and defence was discussed between them.
A number of agreements between India and Bangladesh were anticipated, including relating to media collaboration, research, space exploration, and water sharing on the Kushiyara river.

Neighbourhood first policy

Over the past few years, India and Bangladesh have worked to revive a number of connectivity efforts while also attempting to establish a model for regional cooperation, which includes the agreement’s text last month for the temporary sharing of river flows. Additionally, the Akhaura-Agartala train link between the two nations is soon going to resume.
All areas are included in the partnership, including rivers, maritime affairs, research and technology, trade and commerce, power and energy, transport and connectivity, and security.

Growth in bilateral trade

Bangladesh is presently India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, and in the last five years, bilateral commerce between the two nations has increased from USD 9 billion to USD 18 billion.Exports to Bangladesh has increased from USD 9.69 billion in FY 2020–21 to USD 16.15 billion in FY 2021–22, becoming India’s fourth-largest export market. Both nations managed to make progress on crucial connectivity measures despite the COVID epidemic.