JRC, secretary-level talks before Modi’s Dhaka visit
Bangladesh-India home secretary and commerce secretary level talks and the much-expected Joint River Commission (JRC) will be held before the upcoming visit of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka in March this year, reports BSS.
The decision was taken at the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) held here today, according to a statement issued here by Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the meeting.
Foreign secretaries of both the countries led their respective delegation to the FOC when they reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral interest ranging from COVID-19 cooperation to security issues.
Prime minister Modi is expected to visit Dhaka on 26 March at the
invitation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina to join the 50the anniversary celebration of independence of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th year of bilateral ties.
“Both the sides also agreed to hold the next home secretary level
talks, commerce secretary level talks and the secretary Level meeting
of Joint Rivers Commission before the March 2021 Summit,” a statement
said.
They also discussed about the preparation for the forthcoming visit
of prime minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka in March this year and events
relating to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic
ties between the two countries.
COVID-19 cooperation, trade and investment, connectivity, border
management, water sharing, security and defence cooperation were
featured the meeting as the two countries reviewed the progress
achieved in bilateral ties.
Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and his Bangladesh
counterpart ambassador Masud Bin Momen co-chaired the meeting, held
here in a “fruitful” manner, the statement added.
The Bangladesh foreign secretary was accompanied by Bangladesh high
commissioner to India Mohammad Imran, secretary (east) ambassador
Mashfee Shams and representatives from the ministries of foreign
affairs, commerce and water resources.
The Indian delegation comprised of representatives from the
ministries of external affairs, home affairs, commerce and industry,
Jal Shakti and finance.
The meeting also decided to further strengthen the ongoing
coordination to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
liberation of Bangladesh, the 50th year of bilateral diplomatic ties
and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the
founding father of Bangladesh.
On participation of Bangladesh’s tri-service contingent in the
Republic Day parade in India this year, the both sides expressed their
appreciation for the participation.
Both the sides noted with satisfaction the renewal of the Air
Travel Bubble arrangement and swift implementation of the Lines of
Credit in the bilateral development partnership.
Ambassador Masud bin Momen during his stay in New Delhi will visit
the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition currently on display at Vigyan
Bhawan and will be interacting with Indian foreign service officer
trainees at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.