Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called bilateral relations between Bangladesh-India “role model” for neighborhood diplomacy and hoped that all the outstanding issues, including the much-talked about Teesta water sharing would be resolved soon in the spirit of “friendship and cooperation”.
“The two countries had resolved many outstanding issues in the spirit of friendship and cooperation and we expressed hope for all outstanding issues, including the signing of the Teesta Water Sharing Treaty at an early date,” she said in a statement after holding bilateral talks with her counterpart Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of seven MoUs signed between the concerned authorities of the two countries including the Kushiyara river water sharing and jointly announced the inauguration of five projects.
“I reiterated that India is the most important and closest neighbour of Bangladesh. Bangladesh-India bilateral relations are known to be Role Model for Neighborhood Diplomacy,” the prime minister said.
She noted that over the last decade, both the countries have achieved remarkable progress in a number of areas. Referring to the signing MoU on Kushiyara River, she said all the issues like the water sharing of 54 common rivers that included the Teesta water sharing treaty will be resolved.
The Prime Minister said she and her Indian counterpartModi concluded another round of fruitful discussion and its outcome will bring benefits to the peoples of both the countries.
"We held the meeting in a spirit of close friendship and cooperation. We discussed a wide range of bilateral issues to take forward our relationship in the days ahead," she said.
"Connectivity, trade and commerce, investment, water resources management, security, border and lines of credit are some of the areas we discussed”.
The prime minister also mentioned that having forged a strong partnership over the last 50 years, both countries are working on an increasingly wide range of issues of mutual interest.
"I and Prime Minister Modi agreed to pursue collaborative efforts to sustain our economic growth and maintain peace, security and stability in our two countries and in the region," she said.
“If Bangladesh and India can work together as partners, it will bring benefit not only to the countries, it would also bring peace and prosperity in the region as a whole.”
She expressed her gratitude for the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of India in Bangladesh's Liberation War.
"Since then, Bangladesh-India ties are anchored in shared history and culture, mutual trust and respect, longstanding friendship and continued cooperation," she said.
The Prime Minister appreciated Narendra Modi's “visionary leadership” that continues to provide added momentum to bilateral relations between the neighboring countries.
She also congratulated the government of India and its people on successful completion of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' - the year-long celebrations marking the 75th year of India's Independence.
At the new dawn of the 'Amrit Kaal' for next 25 years, she said she extended her best wishes as India moves forward towards attaining resolutions made for 'Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) Bharat'.
The prime minister also called on the President and Vice President of India on Tuesday, the second day of her visit.
She also awarded 'Mujib Scholarships' to the direct descendants of the soldiers/officers of defence forces of India who were martyred or critically wounded during the great Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.