Dhaka and New Delhi are likely to sign a number of bilateral instruments during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's four-day official visit to India beginning from October 3 for strengthening cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

A total of 18 bilateral documents -- 15 MoUs and three agreements-are on the table which are likely to be inked during her first visit to India after assuming office for the third consecutive term, said officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Of the bilateral instruments, three documents will be in the form of agreements, a diplomatic source told Dhaka Courier mentioning that these are on sharing of White Shipping Information, Air Services and the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla port for the movement of goods to and from India.

The MoUs, likely to be signed, are focusing on youths and sports, BSTI, cultural exchange programme, textiles and jutes, trade remedial measures, coastal surveillance system, film co-production between the two countries, oceanographic research, Mirsarai SEZ, cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector, disaster relief, establishment of permanent office of EXIM Bank of India, ICT and cooperation in supporting start-ups-innovations and incubations.

Sheikh Hasina will hold a bilateral meeting with Narendra Modi and meet Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on October 5.

The Prime Minister will join the summit of World Economic Forum (WEF) as the chief guest and hold a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

Over 800 leaders from 40 countries will take part in the India Economic Summit 2019 to be held on October 3-4 in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister will attend WEF Country Strategy Dialogue on Bangladesh on October 3 and the WEF Closing Plenary on October 4, said sources at the Prime Minister's Office.

Besides, various issues of bilateral concerns, particularly the India National Register of Citizens (NRC) and water-sharing of the common rivers, including Teesta, are expected to get focus at the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.

The two leaders are also expected to jointly launch some projects during the bilateral talks to be held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister will attend WEF Country Strategy Dialogue on Bangladesh on October 3 and the WEF Closing Plenary on October 4, said sources at the Prime Minister's Office.

She will attend an interactive session with select CEOs of India and Inauguration of India-Bangladesh Business Forum (IBBF) at ITC Maurya On Friday (Oct 4).

Besides, President of Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat, India External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and noted film director Shyam Benegal, who is assigned to make a film on the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will separately call on Sheikh Hasina during her visit.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to return home on October 6 wrapping up her four-day visit to India.

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