India wants early completion of economic agreement with Bangladesh: Piyush Goyal

India's Commerce and Railway minister Piyush Goyal has pitched for early completion of comprehensive economic agreement with Bangladesh for enhancing trade between the two countries.

He also expressed desire for coopeartion in expanding rail network and modernisation of Bangladesh railway.

Indian minister has invited Bangladesh railway minister Nurul Islam Sujan to visit New Delhi as an early date. Goyal was speaking in reception hosted by Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran and his wife Dr Zakia Hasnat Imran welcomed the guests where India's Commerce and Railway minister Piyush Goyal was the Chief Guest.

Speaking on reception on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence, Piyush Goyal said Bangladesh has reached a unique height in the last 50 years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured wonderful success of Bangladesh, he said.

“When Sheikh Hasina last visited India, I talked to her. Then I realised that Sheikh Hasina think deeply about the welfare of the country and people”, he said.

The Railway Minister said that this time on the birth Centenary of the Bangabandhu, the Government of India has rightly conferred Gandhi award on him.

He said Bangabandhu did not only establish peace and non-communal politics for the people of Bangladesh but also for the sub-continent.

"India-Bangladesh Friendship will remain intact and will become stronger, he said adding that after 50 years the two countries will celebrate the 100 years of Bangladesh’s Independence as a developed nation", he added.

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran recalled with deep gratitude the contribution of the people of Government of India for their moral and material support during the Liberation War and difficult days.

In his speech, High Commissioner said Bangladesh is going to build a memorial at Ashuganj – the Foundation stone of which has been unveiled by the two Prime Ministers last week during the visit of Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh.

The High Commissioner said nine months of War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 not only ravaged the economy but also completely destroyed the physical infrastructure of the country.

During the last five decades, the people of Bangladesh succeeded in rising from the ashes and bringing vibrancy in the economy.

“Over the last decade the relations between Bangladesh-India have reached a golden chapter having a comprehensive partnership covering all possible area of cooperation under the leadership of our able Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.

In the recent years, Bangladesh and India have been working together to reestablish the old connectivity and to open new routes to connect the distant areas of India through Bangladesh, he said.

People to people contact between Bangladesh and India has increased manifold due to better connectivity and flexibility in visa regime of both sides he added

At the beginning of the programme, the Band Team of Bangladesh Army played the melody of the national anthem of musical instruments. On the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence, the mission also cut cake and organised a cultural programme.

The reception followed by dinner was attended by diplomats, high government officials, military attaches, war veterans, elites, journalists’ academics and friends of Bangladesh.

The Chancery and the Bangladesh House, residence of the High Commissioner were illuminated.