BSS-44 MOMEN-PM-INDIA 2 LAST DHAKA

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BSS-44

MOMEN-PM-INDIA 2 LAST DHAKA

During the bilateral meeting, the foreign minister said the two countries
will discuss to take a joint initiative for ensuring utmost utilization of
the Ganges water sharing treaty.

He said the two premiers are likely to discuss about signing of ‘framework
agreement’ over water sharing of trans-boundary rivers including Teesta.

During the visit, the foreign minister said Bangladesh will seek full
support from India to expedite the repatriation process of the forcibly
displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar from Bangladesh.

“We will reiterate our concern to India that delay in solving the Rohingya
crisis may cause regional instability,” Momen said.

He said Dhaka and Delhi will also discuss to take multiphase initiatives
for reducing border killing to zero level as well as check all smuggling
along the frontiers by increasing communications and cooperation between the
border forces of both the countries.

“We don’t want to see a single killing at the border. Both Bangladesh and
the Indian government have decided not to let anyone die in frontier areas.
Currently, border killing has been dramatically reduced compared to the
period of 2003 or 2006,” he said.

He said the two countries will also discuss over increasing connectivity
between Bangladesh and India through river and sea routes. “On the basis of
that there is possibility to sign standard operation procedure (SOP) about
export-import of Indian goods using Chittagong and Mongla sea ports,” Momen
said.

Moreover, the two leaders are also likely to discuss about joint
celebration of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur, 50-
years of Bangladesh independence and diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and
India, he said.

Before the two premiers Hasina-Modi hold bilateral talks, Momen said
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar will call on Sheikh Hasina
at her place of residence.

Official source said, a VVIP flight (BG-2030) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines
carrying the premier and her entourage members will depart Hazrat Shahjalal
International Airport, Dhaka for New Delhi around 8am on October 3 and arrive
in New Delhi at 10am local time.

On the day, Sheikh Hasina will attend the country strategy dialogue on
Bangladesh in the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum to be
held at the Darbar Hall of Hotel Taj Palace.

She will attend a reception and a dinner to be arranged in her honour at
Maitree Hall, Bangladesh High Commission and Bangladesh House respectively on
the same day.

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India will host the dinner.

The premier will attend an interactive session with the selected CEOs of
India at Tian, ITC Maurya and the inauguration ceremony of India-Bangladesh
Business Forum (IBBF) at Kamal Mahal, ICT Maurya and closing plenary session
of the World Economic Forum at Darbar Hall, Hotel Taj Palace on October 4.

Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat will pay a courtesy call
on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sheikh Hasina will also attend an official launch and sign the visitor’s
book at Hyderabad House on the same day.

Noted Indian film director Shyam Benegal, who is assigned to make a film on
the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will meet
the Bangladeshi premier during the visit.

Sheikh Hasina will return home on October 6.

BSS/ASG/TA/ARS/1930 hrs