Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived in New Delhi to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The prime minister is on a four-day state visit, first since the elections completed in Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister is the chief guest at the Indian Economic Summit organized by the World Economic Forum.
She is also supposed to meet with the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and have bilateral discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The relationship between India and Bangladesh have been better since 2009 with the two countries building a partnership after resolving issues which had hampered the relationship earlier.
India was able to resolve the issues regarding the enclaves which were there in West Bengal and Bangladesh when India had ratified the Land Boundary Treaty of 1974. The two primers had met on the sidelines of the United Nations in September discussing the possible areas of cooperations as well as terrorism and extremism in the region.
According to a report in Times of India, a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs said, ” Apart from several agreements that are to be exchanged between the sides during the visit, the two Prime Ministers will also jointly inaugurate three bilateral projects via video link.”
Despite the healthy strategic partnership, India and Bangladesh would have to work through some contested areas particularly the Rohingya issue and the Teesta Water sharing dispute. The two countries are expected to sign several MOUS on the sidelines of the Indian Economic Forum meet in the areas of culture, technical cooperation, trade and investment.
It will also be an opportunity for the Bangladesh prime minister to discuss concerns regarding the NRC which has been imposed in the state of Assam.
(Inputs from agencies)
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