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Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina launches a bilateral project after a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)[/caption]
New Delhi, Oct. 5 (PTI): India and Bangladesh on Saturday decided to set up a joint coastal surveillance system and launched an LPG supply project as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina held "comprehensive" talks, signalling further expansion of already close strategic ties.
The two sides signed seven agreements and launched three projects including import of LPG by India from Bangladesh besides resolving to expeditiously prepare a draft framework for sharing of waters of six rivers.
In the discussions, Hasina also raised her concerns over roll out of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, an exercise carried out to identify genuine Indian citizens living in Assam and weed out illegal Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque told reporters that his country was keeping an eye on developments relating to NRC even as India conveyed to it that the issue was an internal matter of the country.
Government sources said the Indian side conveyed to Hasina that publication of the NRC was a court-monitored process and the final scenario on the issue is yet to emerge.
The issue of Rohingya refugees also figured in the talks and the two prime ministers agreed on the need to expedite safe, speedy and sustainable repatriation of the displaced persons to their homes in the Rakhine state of Myanmar, officials said.
A joint statement said Modi appreciated the zero-tolerance policy of the Bangladesh government against terrorism and commended Hasina for her resolute efforts to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
Both leaders reiterated their strong commitment to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any act of terror.
After the talks, Modi and Hasina, through video link, launched a project to import LPG from Bangladesh for distribution in the Northeastern states, inaugurated a Vivekananda Bhaban at Ramakrishna Mission in Dhaka and unveiled a skill development institute at Khulna.
"India accords priority to its ties with Bangladesh. The increasing cooperation between India and Bangladesh is a shining example of neighbourly relations for the entire world," Modi said in a brief media statement.
In presence of Hasina, he said Saturday's talks will further energise bilateral ties.
The joint statement said Hasina highlighted that the people of Bangladesh are awaiting early signing of the Teesta water sharing agreement which was agreed upon by both the governments in 2011.
It said both leaders issued direction to expeditiously prepare the draft framework of interim sharing agreements for the six rivers -- namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar as also to firm up a framework for sharing of water of Feni river.
Modi conveyed to Hasina that his government is working with all stakeholders in India for conclusion of the agreement at the earliest.
The seven MoUs signed will provide deepening cooperation in areas of water resources, youth affairs, culture, education and coastal surveillance.
Government sources called the MoU on cooperation in coastal surveillance radar system as significant for regional maritime security. India is expected to set up nearly two dozen coastal surveillance radar stations under the pact.
Another MoU will facilitate use of Chattogram and Mongla ports for movement of goods to and from India. A separate MoU will provide for withdrawal of 1.82 cusec of water from Feni river of Bangladesh for drinking purpose of the people of Sabroom town of Tripura.
The joint statement said the two prime ministers held productive and comprehensive talks and agreed to fully utilise opportunities for advancing mutually beneficial ties in both conventional and non-conventional areas, besides noting that the "irreversible partnership" enhances the legacy that started with the great war of liberation of Bangladesh.
In the talks, both leaders emphasised the importance of effective border management for ensuring a tranquil, stable and crime free border.
"Towards this goal, the leaders directed their respective border forces to complete border fencing at all pending sectors at the international border between both the countries at the earliest," the joint statement said.
Modi and Hasina also agreed to expedite commissioning of the joint study on the prospects of entering into a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh on Saturday said it was keeping an eye on developments relating to roll out of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam even as India conveyed to it that the issue was an internal matter of the country.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina raised the issue with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during wide-ranging talks and he explained to her about the NRC process.
"We were told that this is an internal matter of India. Our relationship is best of the best at present. But at the same time we are keeping our eyes quiet open (on the issue)," Haque said at a press conference.
On long-pending BBIN motor vehicles agreement, Haque indicated that India, Nepal and Bangladesh may go ahead with the pact if Bhutan does not come on board.
The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle was mooted to improve transportation among the four countries.
Asked about Home Minister Amit Shah's comments that illegal Bangladeshi's from Assam would be deported, the Bangladeshi foreign secretary said: "We should not make a crisis out of nothing at this stage and we should be able to wait and see."
Government sources said the Indian side conveyed to Hasina that publication of the NRC was a court-monitored process and the final scenario on the issue is yet to emerge.
Haque said Bangladesh is not worried about the issue at the stage.
"We think this is an internal matter of India. Prime Minister Modi has explained to Prime Minister Hasina the process that India has put up in terms of making sure that everybody is eventually included in this (NRC)," he said.
The NRC has been prepared to identify genuine Indian citizens living in Assam since March 24, 1971, or before, and identify illegal Bangladeshi migrants in the state.
Out of 3.3 crore applicants, over 19 lakh people were excluded from the final NRC published on August 30.
Prime Minister Hasina had taken up the issue of NRC with Modi during their bilateral meeting in New York last month on the sidelines of the IN General Assembly.
After the roll out of the NRC, the Ministry of External Affairs said people left out of it are not "stateless" and will continue to enjoy all the rights as before till they exhaust all remedies available under the law.
"The case of movement of people is a global issue. There have always been issues relating to mobility of people among neighbourting States," said Haque, while citing example of a similar issue between the US and Mexico.
On the Rohingya issue, Haque said Modi appreciated Bangladesh's generosity in sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
A joint statement issued after talks between Modi and Hasina said India will supply a fifth tranche of humanitarian assistance to support Bangladesh's humanitarian efforts to shelter the Rohingyas in temporary camps in Cox's Bazar.
To a question, Haque said Bangladesh is not holding back any Rohingya refugees and anyone wanting to return to Myanmar are free to leave the country.
"The two prime ministers agreed on the need to expedite safe, speedy and sustainable repatriation of the displaced persons to their homes in the Rakhine State of Myanmar."
"They agreed on the need for greater efforts to be made to facilitate their return, including by improving security situation and socio-economic conditions in the Rakhine State of Myanmar," the joint statement said.
Prime Minister Hasina extended an invitation to Modi to pay a visit to Bangladesh and it was accepted, Haque said.
The dates of Modi's visit would be finalised through diplomatic channel, he said.