Modi-Hasina meet sees key outcomes on defence and energy; Teesta, NRC, Rohingyas discussed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina met on Saturday for more than one hour in Delhi and major outcomes were seen in energy and defence sectors. Issue such as Teesta water-sharing agreement, Rohingya issue and National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam were also discussed during the bilateral talks between the two leaders.

India will be building Coastal Surveillance System in Bangladesh which will be the second such system New Delhi will be building in the neighbourhood after the Maldives. 20 units are expected to be placed by New Delhi and the aim is to increase Bangladesh's maritime domain and keep an eye on the shared coast.

Speaking after the meeting, Modi said "India-Bangladesh relationship is an example of good neighbourly ties" with PM Hasina asserting that "cooperation will be strengthened in future."

On the energy front, Dhaka will be providing LPG to North-East India by using Bangladesh Trucks. PM Modi said the project will be a "win-win" for both sides. 

This will be the second "energy bridge" after the "maitree pipeline" which is 130 km connecting Siliguri in West Bengal to Parbatipur in Bangladesh. 

All in all, both leaders jointly inaugurated three projects in energy, skill and social sectors through remote control. Both leaders inaugurated a plaque for Bangladesh-India professional skill development institute at the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh, Khulna and Vivekananda Bhavan at Ram Krishna mission Dhaka.

12 projects have been inaugurated by both sides in the last one year including 9 through video conference in the last few months. 

Seven agreements were exchanged including an MoU on withdrawal of 1.82 cusecs of water from Feni river by India for drinking water supply for the Sabroom town in Tripura. Sabroom, a border town in south Tripura, is located on the banks of Feni river.

TEESTA, NRC, ROHINGYA DISCUSSED

Sheikh Hasina highlighted that the "people of Bangladesh are awaiting early signing and implementation" of Teesta waters sharing agreement to which PM Modi said that "his government is working with all stakeholders in India for the conclusion of the Agreement soonest possible."

Both sides are looking to ink agreement for water sharing for 7 rivers--Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla, Dudhkumar and Feni River.

On the issue of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, Modi appreciated "Bangladesh’s generosity in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance". New Delhi will soon supply the fifth tranche of humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. 

India has been providing assistance to Dhaka since September 2017 under 'operation insaniyat' to deal with Rohingya crisis for which PM Hasina conveyed the gratitude of Bangladeshi government.

The NRC in Assam was raised by the Bangladeshi side with an Indian government source saying that "matter did come. We pointed out that it was the ongoing process and we have to wait for the outcome. Its court-mandated and court directed."

There was a passing reference of developments in Kashmir and revocation of special status during Hasina-Modi talks and Bangladesh's "clear position which is appreciated by New Delhi and their statement is on record", a government source said.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) did not come up in the Modi-Hasina meet but BIMSTEC was discussed with both sides agreeing "to streamline the activities" of the grouping. 

PM Modi to visit Bangladesh next year

PM Modi is likely to visit Bangladesh next year in March. On the 100th birth anniversary of 'Father of Bangladesh - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman' on March 17, 2020 and PM Modi is likely to be part of the event. 

"We are keen to participate in 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary in 2020" and "an invitation has been extended and accepted."

Bangladeshi PM last week participated at the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in United Nations in New York.

Connectivity - Big focus 

To boost people to people ties and connectivity, Bangladesh has decided to remove restrictions on products being traded through Akhaura-Agartala port. Frequency of Maitree Express has been increased from 4 to 5 times per week and that of Bandhan Express from 1 to 2 per week. 

Both sides have agreed on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for movement of goods from India's northeast to rest to India over Bangladeshi territory. 

No talks on Onion

High onion prices was not raised at prime ministerial level but India's trade minister Piyush Goyal has assured that all contracted supplies to Bangladesh in the pipeline should go through as soon as possible. On friday, Bangladeshi PM publically highlighted the high cost of onion in her country after India banned the export of the vegetable.