Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have jointly articulated their "Shared Vision" for peace, prosperity and development of the two neighbors and the entire region, driven by connectivity, commerce and collaboration.

They noted that they need to take the relationship to a deeper and higher quality relationship based on mutual trust and benefit in the coming days.

"We are confident that this Shared Vision for Future will provide further impetus to strengthening our historic ties and building a future-ready partnership by further developing the current 'Sonaali Adhyaay' in our bilateral relations," the shared vision statement quoted the two leaders.

The 14-point vision statement titled "Bangladesh-India Shared Vision for Future: Enhancing Connectivity, Commerce, and Collaboration for Shared Prosperity" was issued on Saturday night following the conclusion of PM Hasina's state visit to India.

At the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, PM Sheikh Hasina paid a state visit to India on June 21-22.

In their wide-ranging discussions, the two leaders recognized that India-Bangladesh partnership, which is founded on deep historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic linkages has strengthened in the last decade inspired by the spirit of their shared sacrifices of 1971 and guided by their new aspirations of the 21st century.

This is reflective of an all-encompassing partnership that transcends a strategic partnership, built upon shared values and interests, equality, trust and understanding and rooted in mutual sensitivity to each other's aspirations and concerns.

To realize the immense potential of this extra-ordinary relationship and to turn it into a transformational partnership for mutual benefits and prosperity of their people and the entire region, the two said,

"We share the conviction that our progress and prosperity are interlinked and reaffirm our mutual desire to guide India-Bangladesh ties to a new era of future-oriented partnership, for which we recognize each other as indispensable partners in realizing our respective national development visions of "Viksit Bharat 2047" and "Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041". As a close and valued neighbour with rapidly growing capabilities, Bangladesh is at the converging point of India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, "Act East" policy, SAGAR doctrine and the Indo-Pacific vision, and an indispensable partner in the development of India's northeastern region. On the other hand, Bangladesh values its relationship with

India as the closest and friendly neighbor. Bangladesh considers India as an important partner in the pursuit of its Neighborhood Foreign Policy for ensuring shared peace and prosperity.

Together, we will pursue a transformative partnership that advances the shared interests in promoting multi-faceted connectivity for both our countries as well as the entire region by transforming our geographical proximity into new economic opportunities. This will include connectivity in its broadest form - physical connectivity covering multi-modal transport and cross-border trade and transit infrastructure for seamless cross-border movement of people, goods and services, as well as energy connectivity and digital connectivity. As part of our sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will extend transit facilities for movement of Bangladesh goods to Nepal and Bhutan through railway network. We are committed to early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to promote sub-regional connectivity. In this context, we welcome a new MOU on Railway Connectivity as well as the decision to commence goods-train service from Gede-Darshana through Chilahati-Haldibari up to Hasimara via Dalgaon railhead (as and when operationalized) at the India-Bhutan border.

We will continue to expand our power and energy collaboration and together develop intra-regional electricity trade, including of competitively-priced power generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal and Bhutan, through the Indian electricity grid. To this end, we will expedite the construction of 765 kV high-capacity interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar with suitable Indian financial assistance, to act as the anchor for our grid connectivity.

Underlining the pivotal role played by emerging technologies to build inclusive, sustainable and digitally empowered societies and to bring larger benefits to people of both countries, we are forging a new paradigm for future-oriented partnership through a "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership" and "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future" in line with our respective broader Vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047" and "Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041". These will build a transformative collaboration between India and Bangladesh by leveraging green and digital technologies to foster economic growth, sustainable and climate-resilient development, environmental conservation, cross-border digital interchange and regional prosperity. We will also pursue collaboration in frontier technologies, including civil nuclear, oceanography and space technology. To this end, we will partner in joint development of a small satellite for Bangladesh and its launch using Indian launch vehicle.

Resolving to work towards promoting the prosperity of our people, we will strengthen trade and investment linkages with each other, including through early commencement of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), early operationalization of two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offered by Bangladesh to India in Mongla and Mirsharai, opening of new border-haats, trade facilitation to enhance bilateral trade, improving road, rail, air, and maritime connectivity and trade infrastructure which can transform our geographical proximity into new economic opportunities for our peoples. We will also encourage and support our private sector to seek new investment opportunities in each other's priority areas of economic development.

Recognizing the importance of water resource management in our bilateral relationship, we will continue to engage in prioritizing the exchange of data and formulating the framework for interim water sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission. We welcome the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996. As part of our development cooperation, we will also undertake conservation and management of Teesta River inside Bangladesh with Indian assistance within a mutually agreed timeframe.

Appreciating the significant role of the two countries in ensuring peace, stability and harmony in the region, we will strengthen our defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. In line with the plans for modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, we will explore defence industrial cooperation for modernization of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, to strengthen their capability for defence. We will continue to work closely with Bangladesh for our multifaceted military engagements of exercises, training and capability development.

We will further bolster India-Bangladesh development cooperation by concluding a new Framework Agreement for Development Partnership, which will expand the reach of our projects and programmes in line with the priorities of the people and the Government of Bangladesh and our long-term vision of closer connectivity. We will work together to expand our capacity building programme for civil services, judicial officers, police and other specialized services of Bangladesh.

Recognizing the shared cultural and historical heritage and vibrant people-to-people ties, we will nurture the existing linkages by promoting exchanges of Muktijoddhas, scholars, academics, artistes, tourists, students and youth. We will further raise the level of our support to the valiant Muktijoddhas and their families, with new programmes for medical and educational support.

To facilitate easier cross-border travel and as a supportive gesture to the friendly people of Bangladesh, India will extend e-Medical Visa facility to people from Bangladesh travelling to India for medical treatment. We have agreed to open a new Assistant High Commission of India in Rangpur as a step to facilitate expeditious consular and visa services for the people of north-west region of Bangladesh.

Based on availability and to the best of its abilities, India will also support Bangladesh with supply of essential commodities.

We recognize the imperative of accelerating our partnership in sectors which promote youth development through education, skilling, entrepreneurship, technology, sports and creative and cultural industries. The India-Bangladesh partnership will respond to the expectations and aspirations of our youth for a better future.

Recognizing the contribution of our partnership to peace, security and stability in the region, we reiterate our commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Based on our converging visions for the Indo-Pacific region and recognizing the vulnerability of the region to adverse impacts of climate change, we will co-lead the 'Disaster Risk Reduction and Management' pillar of the Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and cooperate to mitigate disaster risks, build disaster resilient infrastructure, and contribute to the sustenance of our shared maritime region.

With our wide-ranging bilateral cooperation, we also envision India-Bangladesh relationship to become a major anchor for regional and sub-regional integration under the BIMSTEC, SAARC and IORA architectures. We will work together on global platforms to promote our common interests, especially the interests of Global South."

PM Hasina's state visit reflects depth of Bangladesh-India Maitri: Jaishankar

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Saturday said the state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India reflects the depth of the Bangladesh-India Maitri (friendship).

PM Hasina is the first state guest in India's new term shows the importance they attach to the Bangladesh-India relationship, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Bangladesh lies at the intersection of their Neighborhood First, Act East, SAGAR and Indo-Pacific policies.

"Being truly good neighbors, our ties are consolidating traditional areas and covering new ground," Jaishankar said in a message shared from X, formerly known as Twitter.

The documents signed today show the breadth of the bonds, he said.

"From seas to space, digital, green and health, military, rail and disaster, our two countries are collaborating across all avenues of human endeavor," said Jaishankar.

He said he is confident that under PM Narendra Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina's leadership, Bangladesh-India partnership will keep growing from strength to strength.

A Quick Look on Outcomes

1. Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership

2. Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Green Partnership

3. MoU on Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy

4. MoU between In-Space and Bangladesh's Ministry of ICT and Telecom

5. MoU between Ministry of Railways, Government of India and Ministry of Railways, Government of Bangladesh for railway connectivity

6. MoU for Cooperation in Oceanography between Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) and India's National Institute of Oceanographic Institute (NIO) under CSIR

7. MoU between Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Mirpur for cooperation concerning Military education in the field of strategic and operational studies

8. Renewal of MoU for cooperation in Health and Medicine

9. Renewal of MoU between NDMA and Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for cooperation in the field of Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation

10. Renewal of MoU for cooperation in Fisheries.

Announcements:

(i) e- visa for Medical Patients from Bangladesh

(ii) New Assistant High Commission of India in Rangpur in Bangladesh

(iii) New train service between Rajshahi and Kolkata

(iv) New bus service between Chittagong and Kolkata

(v) Commencement of goods train services between Gede-Darsana and Haldibari-Chilahati upto Dalgaon

(vi) Construction of Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Sirajganj under grant assistance

(vii) Commencement of export of 40 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through Indian grid

(viii) Joint Technical Committee for discussions on renewal of the Ganga Water Treaty

(ix) Visit of technical delegation to Bangladesh for project on conservation and management of Teesta River inside Bangladesh

(x) 350 training slots for Bangladeshi police officers

(xi) Muktijoddha Scheme for medical patients with an upper ceiling of 8 lakh per patient.

Bangladesh, India moving ahead rapidly to strengthen cooperation: Indian President

Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday said Bangladesh and India are moving ahead rapidly to strengthen their cooperation in various areas and entering into new sectors also.

She expressed confidence that this will chart the future course of Bangladesh-India relationship.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said that she was delighted to meet her again, just a few days after the swearing in ceremony of the new government.

The President said these regular interactions reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and cooperation, that began with the journey of Bangladesh's Liberation War of 1971.

The President was happy to note that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress.

During a warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders agreed to work together to enhance the relationship across all domains including economic ties, development partnership, defense cooperation, energy security, and connectivity.

This is the first state visit hosted by India after the formation of the new government on 09 June 2024.