NEW DELHI, Dec 17, 2020 (BSS) – India today described Hasina-Modi Virtual Summit as a “fruitful and comprehensive” one since both sides have discussed all aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues.
“The two prime ministers have comprehensively discussed all issues including border management, water sharing in common rivers, Rohingya repatriation and cooperation of Covid-19 vaccines during the summit,” said Joint Secretary (Bangladesh-Myanmar) of Indian External Affairs Ministry Smita Pant this evening.
Addressing a special virtual media briefing on Bangladesh-India Virtual Summit, she said while discussing on border management plan, the two sides have also agreed to bring down the border killing at “zero level” and expansion of border hats for increasing bilateral trades.
Responding to a question on Rohingya repatriation, she said India wants a safe and sustainable return of displaced Rohingyas to their homeland.
When asked about the much-talked Teesta water sharing issue, she said that India was looking forward to convene a secretary level Joint River Commission (JRC) meeting between the two countries to elaborately discuss the issue.
Regarding the newly restored Chilahati-Haldibari railway link, she said with the inauguration of the rail link by the two prime ministers, transportation of goods by rail would be started “very soon” but passenger services would begin after fixing up modalities by the two countries.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he was honoured to review India’s diverse ties with Bangladesh during his Virtual Summit with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Was honoured to review our diverse ties with Bangladesh during my Virtual Summit with PM Sheikh Hasina today. We also unveiled a stamp honouring Bangabandhu, and launched the Bangabandhu-Bapu museum and the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link,” PM Modi tweeted after the summit.
“Next year, India and Bangladesh will jointly commemorate Mujib Borsho and 50 years of establishment of our diplomatic ties. I look forward to visiting Dhaka for paying my homage to the life and ideals of Bangabandhu,” PM Modi also tweeted.
Seven agreements in the areas of hydrocarbon, culture, agriculture, high impact community development projects and the conservation of wildlife were signed at today’s summit.
Besides, mainstream Indian newspapers, news agencies and TV channels carried out reports with due importance on the Hasina-Modi Summit, which was held in a virtual format today.