Dhaka wants removal of tariff, non-tariff barriers to reduce trade deficit with Delhi

Bangladesh has expressed satisfaction with increasing trade with India and emphasised removing all tariff and non-tariff barriers to reduce the trade deficit.

At the foreign office consultation (FOC) Wednesday, Bangladesh sought India’s cooperation in resolving the pending issues, especially, concluding water-sharing treaties, including Teesta.

Bangladesh also emphasised maintaining a predictable flow of commodities from India for a stable market in Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Mohan Kwatra led their respective delegations at the FOC held at the Foreign Service Academy.

Masud congratulated India for taking the presidency of the G20 and thanked it for inviting Bangladesh as a “guest country.”

The Indian foreign secretary said they included Bangladesh as a guest country for sharing the experience of the growth trajectory of Bangladesh achieved under the “visionary leadership” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with other members of G20.

Kwatra described Bangladesh as India’s trusted friend and reiterated that India is “committed to working with Bangladesh in the coming days.”

He said Bangladesh is one of the most important pillars towards India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and a key partner to its “Act East Policy.”

He also emphasised exploring and working together in emerging sectors for cooperation.

Both the foreign secretaries expressed satisfaction with the “excellent bilateral relationship” that exists between the two countries.

At the FOC, they discussed all the major issues of mutual interests and agreed to promote cooperation encompassing all sectors, especially, defence and security cooperation, border management, trade and commerce, development cooperation, connectivity, water resources management, people-to-people contact, power and energy sector.

They underscored the need to work together during this transition time which resulted due to the impact of the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic and evolving geo-political context.

Masud said India is Bangladesh’s “closest and most important neighbour.”

While highlighting that the “number of deaths along the border has been reduced” in recent times, they stressed working towards bringing the number down to zero.

Meeting with FM

The Indian foreign secretary also met Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.

He said Bangladesh and India are going through a “Golden Chapter” and stressed maintaining this momentum.

The foreign minister said regular high-level visits contributed to reinforcing the relationship between the two countries.

Momen said the state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in September last year has added significant impetus to the existing ties.

He underscored the necessity of resolving the pending issues between the two countries in the “spirit of a good neighbourhood.”

The foreign minister expressed satisfaction that the two countries are complementing each other’s economies.

He emphasised regional cooperation and working together for ensuring shared peace and prosperity, as “envisioned by Sheikh Hasina.

While appreciating Bangladesh for its recent advancements in various sectors, Kwatra emphasised the partnership between Bangladesh and India to address challenges in the region and beyond.

Momen sought India’s “steadfast assistance” in the early repatriation of more than 1.1 million Rohingyas to their country of origin.

The Indian foreign secretary, who arrived in Dhaka Tuesday will return to New Delhi Thursday morning.