Bangladesh
Abdul Momen We want visa-free relations with India: Foreign Minister
Dhaka, Oct 6: Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said Bangladesh wants visa-free relations with India in the future.
He said, most people of our country travel to India for treatment. The Indian Embassy in Dhaka issues 5,000-9,000 visas every day. But many times more people than us want to go to India. But they (Indian embassy) told me that they don't have enough manpower, so there is a delay in issuing their visas. But I said, we want visa free relationship with India in near future. Most tourists go to India from Bangladesh. Which is also affecting the Indian economy.
The foreign minister said these things in response to a question from journalists after the opening ceremony of the four-day Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue in Sylhet on Thursday evening. In response to the question whether the Teesta agreement will be concluded during the current government's tenure, the foreign minister said that Bangladesh and India have agreed in principle on the issue of the Teesta water distribution agreement. It's stuck for some reason. It will get fixed in time.
The 11th dialogue started like every year on Thursday at 4 pm to strengthen friendly relations between Bangladesh and India and in the interest of education, culture and business development of both countries. Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Shireen Sharmin Chowdhury gave a speech as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of this dialogue at Grand Sylhet Hotel and Resort. Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen presided over it.
Former State Minister and Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Member of Parliament of India Vincent Pala, former minister MJ Akbar and Indian High Commissioner Prannoy Verma spoke as special guests in the opening discussion meeting of this dialogue organized with the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chairman of Bangladesh Foundation ASM Shamchul Arefin delivered the welcome address.
Six minister-state ministers, 20 parliamentarians and national leaders will participate in the dialogue on behalf of Bangladesh. A delegation of 140 people from India is participating in the dialogue.
In the President's speech, the Foreign Minister said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is fulfilling Bangabandhu's incomplete dream. Bangladesh is now the country of 35 largest economies. Bangladesh's GDP has increased from 90 billion dollars to 460 billion dollars.
