Modi, Mamata unite to catapult Indo-Bangla ties to historic high

A little over forty-five years after the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini's comprehensive victory over the Pakistan Army in the 1971 war, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made a momentous pitch to take India's friendship with our eastern neighbour, Bangladesh, to a historic high.

In the august presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on Saturday, our two countries signed 22 pacts in key sectors including defence and civil nuclear cooperation and Modi conveyed the Indian government's commitment for an "early solution" to the long-pending Teesta waters sharing agreement.

Modi , who held wide-ranging talks with Sheikh Hasina, also announced a new concessional Line of Credit (LoC) of $4.5 billion for Bangladesh and an additional assistance of $500 million to help its military procurement. "We in India rejoice in our ties with Bangladesh, ties that have been forged in blood and generations of kinship, ties that seek a better and secure future for our people," Modi said at a joint media event with Hasina.

The two countries also agreed to confront the challenges of terrorism with deeper security and defence cooperation with Modi terming the spread of radicalism a "grave threat", not only to the two countries but to the entire region. On her part, Hasina, on a visit here after seven years, said that her country will continue its zero-tolerance policy towards terror and promised to take all steps to ensure peace and security along Indo-Bangla border.

Modi also thanked Banerjee for her extraordinary efforts in helping the Union Government to boost Indo-Bangladeshi relations. "I am very happy that the Chief Minister of West Bengal is my honoured guest today. I know that her feelings for Bangladesh are as warm as my own. I assure you and the people of Bangladesh of our commitment and continuing efforts," he said.

Modi also complimented Hasina for her government's 'zero-tolerance' policy towards terrorism and said "it is an inspiration for all of us." A new bus and train service were also launched between Kolkata and Khulna in Bangladesh. "India has always stood for the prosperity of Bangladesh and its people. We are a long-standing and trusted development partner of Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh are also determined that the fruits of our cooperation must benefit our people," said Modi.