Bangladesh
Friendship Dialogue Dhaka, Delhi take part in 11th Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue
Dhaka, October 13: The three-day long (Oct 5-7), 11th Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue' organized in Sylhet jointly by Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies in partnership with India Foundation, New Delhi.
The programme was inaugurated (October 05) by the Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury who reiterated that the fate of the two neighboring countries is closely related and the stability and prosperity of both countries are inextricably linked with each other. She thanked India for including Bangladesh in the G20 process and appreciated India for hosting the P20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit.
She stressed on ensuring greater involvement of parliaments of the two countries, cooperation and involvement of women lawmakers and cooperation in the ICT sector to meet the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution.
Bangladesh Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr AK Abdul Momen in his speech said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is fulfilling the incomplete dream of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladesh is now the 35 largest economy of the world. Bangladesh's GDP has increased from USD 90 billion to USD 460 billion.
Heavy influx of tourists from Bangladesh to India is contributing to India's economy. He said that fast developing Bangladesh offers both countries an opportunity to deepen its economic advantage.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in his statement emphasized on focusing on five important areas such as bilateral trade, improved connectivity, sub-regional cooperation in energy sector, cooperation in water sector and exploring ways to strengthen people-to-people contacts. He further said that the partnership of these two neighbors is important to bring peace and prosperity to the South Asian region. Second day of the event featured thematic sessions on trade-people linkages, technology cooperation and investment linkages for innovation, sustainable and inclusive engagement.
On behalf of Bangladesh, six ministers, 20 MPs and nationally designated leaders participated along with the Indian delegation of 140 people. At the end of the second day, the Foreign Minister stated that he has requested the High Commissioner of India, Dhaka to increase the number of daily issue of visa from the present 9000. He has proposed the dropping of visa system between the two countries as that between India and Nepal and to launch Guwahati-Sylhet-Dhaka airlines.
He announced the early commencement of Guwahati-Dhaka flight since it is a long-standing demand of the aviation authorities. The Foreign Minister also said that Bangladesh wants to create better cultural relation with India because India and Bangladesh have many similarities in terms of culture and language. Former MP of India Swapan Das Gupta, member of Bharat Foundation, Suraiya Doval, Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh member of Rajya Sabha, India and others spoke at the event.
On third (Oct 07) day during the valedictory session, the 'Sylhet Declaration', which is the outcome document of the deliberations made at the 11th round of Bangladesh-India friendship dialogue, was adopted. In the declaration, it was incorporated that the 11th round of Bangladesh-India dialogue has decided to put efforts to consolidate the long-standing friendship between the two nations by fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership.
