Bangladesh "important pillar" of India’s foreign policy: Delhi

New Delhi has conveyed it to Dhaka that Bangladesh remains "one of the most important pillars" of its foreign policy and the relations between the two countries will keep growing on all fronts.

“It’s (the relationship) as good as it was and it’ll only get better,” Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami told reporters at the High Commission on Thursday afternoon after the virtual Summit between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

During the Summit, both sides exchanged views on the situation of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in their respective countries and expressed satisfaction at the manner in which sustained engagement between the two countries has been maintained during this ongoing crisis.
Reiterating the highest priority India attaches to Bangladesh under India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that vaccines would be made available to Bangladesh as and when it is produced in India.

Both leaders also noted the ongoing bilateral collaboration between the private sectors in this area, said the High Commissioner.

He also said they have been quietly having discussions with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius and sharing the experiences and best practices.

Responding to a question, the Indian envoy said India supports Bangladesh’s objective to see a sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

He said they understand it is a complex social issue in Myanmar and India is providing support with other countries in Asean and Japan for development facilities in Rakhine to create a condition for a “speedy, safe and sustainable” repatriation of Rohingyas.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million Rohingyas from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Both the Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of their safe, speedy and sustainable return, according to a joint statement.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated India on its election as a member of the United Nations Security Council.

She expressed Bangladesh’s expectation to see India assist in the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to Myanmar.

The Indian High Commissioner said it is perfectly reasonable to put Rohingyas in better facilities developed in Bhasan Char.

He said it seems Bangladesh Navy has done something extraordinary in building required infrastructure in Bhasan Char.

The Indian side requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to consider Bangladesh joining the BRICS’ New Development Bank and Bangladesh takes it positively. The bank is built by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Sheikh Hasina appreciated the work of the New Development Bank and thanked India for inviting Bangladesh to join it.

She welcomed the work of the Bank in multiple sectors, including infrastructure development and expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to be a part of the initiative.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister requested the Indian side to consider Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nodia on Bangladesh-India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.