BackIndia announces new visa policy for Bangladesh
In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Narendra Modi promises to strengthen ties with all neighbours in South Asia
Premium
New Delhi: India on Thursday announced several measures to boost relations with Bangladesh, including a new visa policy, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his government’s neighbourhood first foreign policy and promised to strengthen ties with all neighbours in South Asia.
In a letter to Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which was handed over by visiting foreign minister Sushma Swaraj in Dhaka, Modi said he was convinced “that the well-being of every nation is linked to its neighbourhood", and hoped all countries in South Asia can collaborate “to foster a new era of cooperation and connectivity across the South Asian region" boosting the economic well-being of all countries in the region.
Adding substance to such intents was an announcement by India to grant five-year multiple entry visas to Bangladeshis “below 13 years and above 65 years of age" and a proposal for a second bus link connecting the Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya with Bangladesh. India also said it was prepared to supply an additional 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh on addition to the 500MW it was supplying.
These were made by Swaraj who is in Dhaka on a three-day visit.
Referring to Bangladesh, Modi said “democracy, secularism, pluralism and rule of law" serve “as a link between India and Bangladesh... My government will apply itself to further accelerating our engagement and strengthening the framework of our relationships".
The new Modi government made clear its neighbourhood first approach to foreign policy within days of being elected, sending out invitations to all South Asian countries to the Prime Minister’s oath-taking ceremony on 26 May. Bangladesh was represented by Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, speaker of its Parliament.
Meanwhile, in Dhaka, foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said Swaraj had “constructive and productive; fruitful and successful" talks with her counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Hasina. Swaraj reached Dhaka late Wednesday on a three-day visit to conclude on Friday.
“It was a conscious decision to make this first stand-alone visit to Bangladesh to send a clear signal that India is keen to enhance our bilateral relationship," Akbaruddin said of Swaraj’s choice of Bangladesh as the destination of her first overseas visit.
“She has specifically emphasized that the new government stands ready to enhance the momentum and build on our cooperative relationship. In essence, her message to the leadership of Bangladesh has been that India stands ready to break fresh ground in our relationship," Akbaruddin said.
Bangladesh also promised not to allow its territory to be used for terrorism against India, Akbaruddin said, referring to a long-standing issue between the two countries. In the past, militant groups operating in India’s northeast have used Bangladeshi territory to launch attacks against India. Soon after coming to power in December 2008, the Hasina government handed over several militants belonging United Liberation Front of Asom to India.
To add substance to the statements and increase physical, economic and other linkages with Bangladesh, Swaraj proposed a second bus link between Bangladesh and India—connecting Dhaka with the state capitals of Meghalaya and Assam.
It was the previous Bharatiya Janata Party-led government that ruled India between 1998 and 2004 that started the first India-Bangladesh bus service connecting Dhaka with Kolkata in 1999.
India also announced its decision to grant five-year multiple entry visas as against the current practice of multiple entry for one year to Bangladeshi nationals below 13 years and above 65 years of age.
Swaraj also assured Bangladesh that in addition to the 500MW power already being supplied from an Indian plant in West Bengal’s Behrampore district to Bheramara in Bangladesh’s Khulna district, India is prepared to supply 100MW of power from the Palatana power project in Tripura.
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