Bangladesh and India are likely to sign 10 to12 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in different areas including connectivity, culture, technical cooperation and trade and investment, according to Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flies to India today (Thursday) on a four-day state visit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said.
Momen said, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit India on October 3-6 to attend a programme of the World Economic Forum to be held in New Delhi, October 3-4. The Prime Minister is expected to take advantage at the economic forum to highlight the country’s progress in recent times, especially the issue of Bangladesh graduating to a middle income from an LDC, he said.
The government would also seek more investments from major Indian investors during the presence of Indian business giants, he added. The Foreign Minister came up with the statement at a press briefing on the upcoming India visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the Foreign Ministry office on Wednesday. The Prime Minister will also exchange views with Indian business platforms like the Chamber of Commerce and Industries during her visit, he said. He said, the Prime Minister is expected to discuss different issues, including the Teesta water-sharing which still remains unresolved, and winning India’s support for Rohingya repatriation.
On Saturday, Sheikh Hasina will meet at a bilateral meeting with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he informed. At the meeting, the issue of progress in signing water treaties for Teesta, Feni, Dudh Kumar, Gomoti Khoai and Dharla rivers will also be talked about, Momen said.
Among these issues, are an agreement over Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution certification, imposing anti-dumping duty, a cooperation agreement between the trade ministries of the two countries, and border haats (markets), he said. During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also discuss the issue of bringing down border killings to zero, he mentioned.
He said, the Prime Minister also will discuss how to jointly celebrate 100 years of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and 50 years of the independence of Bangladesh.