India Bangladesh Relations: India and Bangladesh begin working together on three projects to increase power and connectivity. Through a video conference on Wednesday, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled three development projects. The rail and electricity projects, which have India’s support, are aimed at strengthening the two nations’ partnership and collaboration.
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- The Akhaura-Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link is the first project that the two leaders have started. This project connects Akhaura, Bangladesh, with Agartala, Tripura, and is made possible by a grant of Rs 392.52 crore from the Government of India. With a 6.78 km Dual Gauge rail line in Bangladesh and a 5.46 km line in Tripura, the rail link has a total length of 12.24 km.
- Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line: This project creates a 65 km broad gauge rail link between Mongla Port and Khulna and is funded by a concessional line of credit of USD 388.92 million from the Government of India. This will connect the broad-gauge railway network to Mongla, the second-largest port in Bangladesh.
- Maitree Super Thermal Power Project Unit – II: This project is a 1320 MW Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Khulna Division, Bangladesh, and is funded by a 1.6 billion US dollar loan from the Indian Concessional Financing Scheme.
- The Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited, a 50:50 joint venture between Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s NTPC Ltd, is in charge of carrying out the project. The region’s energy security and connectivity will be improved by these projects.
- Additionally, Sheikh Hasina wished PM Modi and the Indian populace a happy Diwali festival. She said, “I would conclude her by conveying warm greetings in advance for the upcoming Diwali. I wish Your Excellency PM Modi and the people of India a very Happy Diwali.”
- The two nations are commemorating their strong bilateral connections with a number of activities at the same time as these projects are being inaugurated. For more than ten years, the Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue has served as a platform for promoting a comprehensive and mutually beneficial engagement between the two countries.
- The theme of this year’s Dialogue is ‘Fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership’
- The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, a transnational energy pipeline that will bring high-speed diesel to seven districts in northern Bangladesh, was also launched earlier this year by Prime Minister Modi and Sheikh Hasina.
- The Government of India provided grant assistance to fund the construction of the pipeline, which was anticipated to cost Rs 377 crore.
- The 15th Joint Working Group on Trade (JWG) Meeting between the two nations was held in September in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and covered a range of bilateral topics, such as the lifting of port limitations and getting ready for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Sheikh Hasina’s Gratitude for Hospitality
When Sheikh Hasina visited India in September 2023 for the G20 Summit, she expressed her gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his kind hospitality. She said, “The joint inauguration of these important projects manifests the firm friendship and collaboration between our two friendly countries.” She also conveyed her appreciation for PM Modi’s dedication to fortifying their connection.
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