Hasina-Modi inaugurate 7 projects, sign 5 MoUs
Bangladesh and India on Saturday inaugurated seven projects virtually and signed five memorandum of understandings (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including disaster management, resilience and mitigation, trade, ICT and sports.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the MoU signing ceremony after the bilateral talks between Bangladesh and India at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka.
The MoUs have been signed on disaster management, resilience and mitigation; on the establishment of a framework of cooperation in the area of trade remedial measures between Bangladesh and India, and between Bangladesh National Cadet Corps and National Cadet Corps of India.
Besides, a tripartite MoU on supply of ICT equipment, courseware and reference books and training for Bangladesh-Bharat Digital Service & Employment and Training (BDSET) centre and another tripartite MoU on establishment of sports facilities in Rajshahi College field and surrounding areas were also signed.
The inaugurated projects are renovation of Kuthibari in Shilaidaha; infrastructure development for power evacuation facilities of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, India-Bangladesh friendship stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of establishment of India-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship.
Meanwhile, the two premiers launched three border haats at India-Bangladesh border- Ryngkau-Bagan Bari, Nalikata-Saydabad and Bholaganj-Bholaganj.
The other inaugurated projects are trans-border passenger train on the Chilahati-Haldibari route, memorial at Ashuganj of martyrs from Indian armed forces who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War in 1971, and 109 ambulances gifted by India.
10 announcements of cooperation:
Meanwhile, Mitali express, a new train service between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri was announced.
A StartUp conclave for entrepreneurs of India and Bangladesh was announced and Indian premier invited 50 young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to India to connect with India's Startup ecosystem.
One thousand scholarships to Bangladeshi undergraduate and post-graduate students and Bangabandhu Chair at the Delhi University to facilitate Bangladesh studies were also announced.
Besides, India PM announced to build a community hall-cum-cyclone shelter at Shyamnager in Satkhira.
While visiting at Orakandi of Gopalganj, the Indian premier announced to build a primary school for children and upgrade a middle school for girls under Indian funding.
It was also announced that 6 December, the day India recognised Bangladesh as an independent nation will be celebrated as Maitree Diwas. PM Modi announced that to commemorate 50th year of liberation of Bangladesh and 75th year of India's independence, 'Best of India, Best of Bangladesh Exhibition' and a business meet will be held.
He also declared that India will participate in the first ever Air Show in Bangladesh, to be held in 2022. Modi announced that India will gift military equipment used by Indian forces during the liberation war of Bangladesh for use in museums.