Major issues to take spotlight at Hasina-Modi Summit

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh will raise all big issues, including water and border ones, at the virtual meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi slated to be held on 17 December.

"We will raise our major issues, which we usually bring up," he told reporters on Sunday at his office, adding that a number of "quick-impact" projects will also be launched.

The Chilahati-Haldibari Rail Link, a pre-1965 connectivity line, will be inaugurated along with some other projects during the summit between the two premiers.

The foreign minister, however, said the month of victory will come up in a big way at the meeting because it is also a victory for India as the latter helped Bangladesh achieve the victory.

"We must acknowledge the contributions of the then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi," he stated.

Momen said Bangladesh and India have a historic and kindred relationship.

"And India is a time-tested friend of Bangladesh. So, India has every reason to be proud of our victory," he continued.

He recalled the then-government of India and the United Kingdom for bringing the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman back home alive.

"We must acknowledge their contribution," he said.

Abdul Momen said Bangladesh and India are witnessing a golden chapter in their relations.

"The two countries have set an example by resolving issues like LBA [the Land Boundary Agreement] and maritime boundaries through dialogue and discussion," he added.

The foreign minister said the two neighbouring countries can resolve all existing issues through dialogue.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has the kind of leadership of an astute statesman in resolving problems," he continued.

Responding to a question, Momen said a Swadhinata Sarak will be opened marking the 50 years of Bangladesh's independence on 26 March next year.

He said the road remains functional on the Indian side while it will be connected through the Mujibnagar, Meherpur district.

"It will help boost people-to-people contact between the two countries," he explained.

Bangladesh has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Bangladesh on 26 March in person to jointly celebrate the Independence Day of Bangladesh. The Indian side accepted the invitation in principle.

Bangladesh and India will chart plans to take the "rock-solid and historic" Dhaka-Delhi relations to the next level expanding the areas of cooperation between the two countries with a number of engagements in the coming months, officials said.

In March this year, the two prime ministers joined a virtual meeting of Saarc countries to deal with the Covid-19 situation in the region.