Sarwar Azam Manik, Cox's Bazaar
The 9th ‘Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue’ concluded with the Cox’s Bazaar Declaration in Cox’s Bazaar on Sunday. Participants from both countries agreed to work in unison to develop the sectors like Information Technology, Electricity, Fuel and Regional Security. At the concluding session, Chief guest Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said, Bangladesh has set an example in the world by giving not only the shelter for 1.1 million Rohingya refugees but also for supplying them with all tools required for their livelihood. For this reason, Sheikh Hasina has been awarded with the honour of ‘Mother of Humanity’. He mentioned in cooperation with friendly countries like India and other countries, repatriation of those refugees should be done as early as possible.
At the concluding session of a two-day long Bangladesh-India dialogue entitled, “India-Bangladesh Strategic Position” Foreign Minister further mentioned once Bangladesh was termed as ‘Bottomless Basket’ but today Bangladesh is being discussed as a role model of development. In this connection he said, there was no room of terrorism in Bangladesh and the government of Sheikh Hasina was containing it with zero-tolerance policy.
He said the relation between Bangladesh and India was ‘traditionally and geographically’ friendly and with the lineage of this friendship, India stood beside us during our Great War of Liberation. The present Indian government led by Narendra Modi is also an intimate friend of Bangladesh. We will never forget the contribution of India, he added.
Foreign Minister said, it was due to the deep friendship that India was cooperating with us in all respects including the Technology, Power and the Fuel. He mentioned, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set up an example in creating ‘Good Governance and her government has shown an unprecedented success in containing corruption and the terrorism which received worldwide acclamation.
Presided over by Lieutenant Colonel ( Retd.) Muhammad Faruque, President of the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Radha Tomal Goswami, Director of Techno International College of Technology spoke as the special guest. He said, the Indian government was highly satisfied at the Bangladeshi agreement to supply gas to Tripura and permission of using Mongla and Chattogram ports by India. He further mentioned, Indian government was highly glad at the Bangladeshi policy on zero tolerance in containing terrorism and militancy. He pledges to work together for development of Information Technology, Electricity, Fuel, Regional Economy and the Security of both countries.
At the second day of the function, speakers emphasised for a strict vigilance towards the activities of the religious-based parties and said it was possible to strengthen regional security by creating consciousness among young people of the country. They said technology is being used to spread terrorism that is why a united effort was necessary to check the misuse of technology. They added the global tourism sector of flourishing and it was possible to improve the economy of a country through the development of the tourism sector.
Former Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Vina Shikari said, Bangladesh was developing in technology at a high speed and success was being achieved in power and the fuel sectors. Sheikh Hasina was, in fact, build success in all sectors, she added. Abdul Aziz Khan, Member of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission informed, steps are underway to produce power from wind at the coastal areas of the country.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, renowned Journalist MJ Akbar said, the relation between the two countries during this time is very friendly which is different from last 25-year. He emphasised the use of waters of common rivers for the benefit of people of both countries.
The concluding session was also addressed, among others, by Nahim Razzak,MP, and Alok Bansal, Director of India Foundation, Ashekullah Rafique, MP, while other sessions were addressed by Security Analyst Mohammad Ali Shikder, Hasanul Haque Inu, BJP central General Secretary Ram Madhab Vanarashi, ASM Shamsul Arefin, local MP Saimum Sarwar Kamol, Cox’s Bazaar Development Authority Chairman Lieutenant Colonel( retd) Forkan Ahmed and central leaders of AL and government officials from both the countries.
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