India and Bangladesh on Saturday opened a new chapter in their ties as they settled the 41-year-old boundary dispute and promised to do more in other areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced a fresh line of credit of $2 billion to the neighbouring country.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by his side, Modi, on his maiden visit here, also expressed confidence to have a “fair solution” to the Teesta and Feni river water sharing issues with Bangladesh “with the support of state governments in India”.
After extensive talks between Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the two sides signed 22 agreements, including those on cooperation in maritime safety and to curb human trafficking as well as fake Indian currency.
Hasina said the two countries agreed to set up two Special Economic Zones to bridge the growing trade deficit. Modi promised to do “everything” to address it.
He also announced a fresh $2-billion line of credit for Bangladesh and promised quick implementation of the earlier line of credit of $800 million and full disbursement of $200 million.
The highlight of the Modi’s first day here was the exchange of documents related to the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), which paves the way for exchange of territories to settle the 41-year-old border dispute which has been an irritant.
Under the Agreement, 111 border enclaves will be transferred to Bangladesh in exchange for 51 that will become part of India.
“The visit is at a historic moment. We have resolved a question that has lingered since Independence. Our two nations have a settled boundary. It will make our borders more secure and people’s life there more stable,” said Modi at a joint press interaction with Hasina.
Referring to the unanimous passage of the LBA by Parliament last month, he said it “reflects the consensus in India on relations with Bangladesh”.
Noting that the two countries had accepted the settlement of the maritime boundary issue last year, he said, “It is evidence of the maturity of our ties and our shared commitment to international rules. So, we stand at a moment of huge opportunity in our relationship. prime minister (Hasina) and I recognise that.”
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