The 11th Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue concluded successfully in Sylhet, Bangladesh, on October 7, 2023, after three days of intensive discussions and collaboration. Organized by the Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies in partnership with India Foundation, New Delhi, this event marked another significant step in strengthening the bilateral ties between the neighboring nations.
The program was inaugurated on October 5 by the Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, who emphasized the close and interconnected destinies of Bangladesh and India. She highlighted that the stability and prosperity of both countries are intricately linked, expressing her gratitude to India for including Bangladesh in the G20 process and hosting the P20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit. Speaker Chowdhury also stressed the importance of greater involvement of the parliaments of both countries, cooperation between women lawmakers, and collaboration in the ICT sector to address the challenges posed by the fourth industrial revolution.
Bangladesh`s Minister of Foreign Affairs, AK Abdul Momen, in his address, credited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for realizing the unfulfilled vision of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He noted Bangladesh`s remarkable economic growth, with GDP increasing from 90 billion to 460 billion, and the significant number of Bangladeshi tourists contributing to India`s economy. Minister Momen underscored the economic opportunities that the rapidly developing Bangladesh offers for both nations and highlighted five crucial areas for cooperation, including bilateral trade, improved connectivity, sub-regional energy cooperation, water sector collaboration, and enhancing people-to-people contacts. He stressed the importance of the Bangladesh-India partnership in fostering peace and prosperity in the South Asian region.
The second day of the event featured thematic sessions focusing on trade-people linkages, technology cooperation, investment linkages for innovation, and sustainable, inclusive engagement. The conference brought together a substantial delegation from both countries, including 06 ministers, 20 MPs, and nationally designated leaders from Bangladesh, alongside 140 participants from India.
At the end of the second day, Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen announced several significant proposals, including an increase in the daily visa issuances from 9,000, the possibility of abolishing the visa system between the two countries (similar to that between India and Nepal), and the launch of Guwahati-Sylhet-Dhaka airlines. He also revealed the early commencement of the Guwahati-Dhaka flight, a long-standing demand of aviation authorities. The Foreign Minister emphasized Bangladesh`s desire to strengthen cultural relations with India, given the cultural and linguistic similarities between the two nations.
Prominent speakers, including Swapan Das Gupta, former MP of India, Suraiya Doval of the Bharat Foundation, Raj Kumar Ranjan Singh, a member of Rajya Sabha in India, and others, contributed to the event.
On the third day, during the valedictory session, the `Sylhet Declaration,` the outcome document of the 11th Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue, was adopted. The declaration outlined the commitment to consolidate the long-standing friendship and foster a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations. It signified the determination to strengthen the ties and cooperation between Bangladesh and India for a brighter shared future.
The 11th Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue served as a platform for frank discussions and constructive deliberations, emphasizing the importance of the relationship between these two influential South Asian neighbors.
Comment :