PM seeks uninterrupted supply of essentials from India
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to ensure uninterrupted supplies of essential goods to Bangladesh as the two leaders held a bilateral meeting today.
"India is our second largest trading partner," Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters after the meeting, adding that Bangladesh has been negotiating with India for a guaranteed supply of seven essential commodities for a year.
The hour-long meeting was held at Modi's official residence in New Delhi this evening.
Hasina reached the Indian capital around 1:15pm to attend the G20 Summit at the invitation of India, this year's G20 president.
Indian State Minister for Railways and Textile Darshana Jardosh and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, Mustafizur Rahman, welcomed the premier at Palam Airport.
"Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more," Modi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, immediately after the meeting.
Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more. pic.twitter.com/IIuAK0GkoQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2023
In December 2022, Dhaka sought assurance of annual supplies of 45 lakh tonnes of wheat, 7 lakh tonnes of onion, 30,000 tonnes of lentil, 20 lakh tonnes of rice, 15 lakh tonnes of sugar, 10,000 tonnes of garlic and 1.25 lakh tonnes of ginger.
Bangladesh-India trade is about $14 billion and essential commodities comprise a major part of it. On multiple occasions, supply shortage sent the prices of certain goods spiralling in Bangladesh.
At today's bilateral meeting, the two premiers agreed to speed up the undergoing rail and road connectivity projects across the borders, Momen said while briefing reporters at Modi's residence.
Hasina also requested Modi to extend cooperation for the quick repatriation of the Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh since the biggest Rohingya influx in 2017.
Currently, Bangladesh and Myanmar are working on a pilot project for repatriating 3,000 Rohingyas under a trilateral mechanism mediated by China.
Modi expressed deep gratitude to Hasina for her government's role in ensuring a peaceful situation in India's Northeastern states that saw several separatist movements only a few years ago. The Bangladesh government made sure that no separatist groups were sheltered in Bangladesh.
Dhaka also sought Moscow's support for Rohingya repatriation during Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's two-day visit to Dhaka.
However, Russia, China and India have strong ties with Myanmar.
During the meeting today, Hasina thanked Modi for inviting her to the G20 Summit, where Bangladesh is expected to present the challenges facing the Global South, especially those of climate change and recovery of the economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.
Both the premiers agreed to take active steps to further advance the bilateral relationship. They also expressed satisfaction over the existing relations.
Modi lauded the bold leadership of PM Hasina for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
Prior to the meeting, the two countries signed three MoUs -- Cooperation on Agricultural Research and Education, Extension of Cultural Exchange Programme from 2023 to 2025, and another for network connectivity to facilitate transaction of Rupee and Taka.
Today, PM Hasina will address a session, "One Earth", at the G20 Summit.
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