Hasina for further integrating Bangladesh-India economies

GBNEWS24 DESK//

“I believe both our countries can move up the global and regional value chains by further integrating our economies taking advantage of available synergies,” she told her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in an India-Bangladesh virtual summit, reports BSS.

Describing the ongoing connectivity initiatives between the two next-door neighbours as catalysts in this regard, the premier said, “A prime example is the resumption of Chilahati-Haldibari rail link which we will inaugurate today.”

Sheikh Hasina led the Bangladesh delegation from her official Ganabhaban residence here while Narendra Modi led the Indian delegation joining the meeting online from New Delhi.

Turning to growing dependency of economies of the two friendly countries, she said, “We happily recognise the growing mutual dependency of the economies of Bangladesh and India. A good number of Indian nationals are employed in the manufacturing and service sector of Bangladesh and are remittance earners for India. On the other hand, India receives its highest number of tourists and medical patients from Bangladesh.”

The PM said that relations between Bangladesh and India have embarked on a landmark moment, adding, “Yesterday (Wednesday), Bangladesh celebrated 50 years as an independent nation. Bangladesh and India have also stepped into the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relations.”

“Further, we are celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Just a few months ago, we concluded celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of your Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi,” she said.

“In Bangladesh, we released a special postal stamp as a mark of tribute to Bapuji. I understand today we will be inaugurating a stamp issued by the Postal Department of India in honour of Bangabandhu,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina conveyed her sincere gratitude to the Indian premier and the Indian government for “so spontaneously coming together to mark these important occasions” with joint celebrations. “We have chalked out joint programmes throughout the coming year in cities worldwide, to commemorate our inseparable linkages in Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971.”