Bangladesh and India agreed to work together toward a peaceful and prosperous future as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her counterpart Narendra Modi on Saturday endorsed a vision statement in Delhi.
This is the first of its kind statement as traditionally joint statements are issued after any visit of the head of governments.
All eyes are on DelhiAll eyes are on Delhi
“Both countries endorsed the vision statement to guide us toward a peaceful and prosperous future. We agreed to have a shared vision for 'Digital Partnership' and 'Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future,” the prime minister said at the joint statement after the bilateral talk and one-to-one meeting with Narendra Modi.

She said they agreed about a shared vision for “digital and green partnership” to ensure a sustainable future for both the nations.

She said they had discussed the entire gamut of the relationship that includes sharing of water from common rivers, security and trade during the meetings.

The prime minister remembered India’s role in the 1971 liberation war and said India is a “major neighbour, trusted friend, and regional partner”.

India accords ceremonial reception to PM Hasina at Rashtrapati BhavanIndia accords ceremonial reception to PM Hasina at Rashtrapati Bhavan
She also said Bangladesh-India relations are ever-growing at a fast pace.

“Today, our two sides had very productive meetings where we discussed politics and security, trade and connectivity, the sharing of water from common rivers, power and energy, and regional and multilateral cooperation, among other issues of mutual interest," she added. “We agreed to collaborate with each other for the betterment of our people and countries".

“We charted the future course of action to ensure a smart Bangladesh by following Vision 2041 and Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

This is her second visit to India in less than two weeks as she attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi’s third term on June 9.

Her current visit is the first state visit of any head of government or state to India after the new government is formed.

Special meeting
Modi said though they had met on several occasions in the last one year, but “this meeting is special as PM Sheikh Hasina is our first state guest in our third tenure”.

Prime Minister Hasina reciprocated: "I am now visiting New Delhi for an unprecedented second time in the same month – June 2024.”

She recalled the high-level visits in recent times and said the Indian president and its Prime Minister visited Bangladesh in 2021 to attend the celebration of the Birth Centenary of Bangladesh's Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the 50-year celebration of Bangladesh's independence, and the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic ties.

She paid her last bilateral visit to India in September 2022 and later attended the G20 Summit held under the presidency of India in September 2023 in New Delhi as the leader of Guest Country -Bangladesh, the only country from South Asia.

"These are testaments to our two countries' close engagement," Hasina said.

She also said that this is her first bilateral visit to any country after she came to power through January 7 elections for the fourth consecutive term.

"I thank the Government of India for extending warm hospitality to me and my delegation," she said.

She will also meet the vice president and the president of India before her return on Saturday night.

“I believe all these meetings would give us more insights into enhancing our two countries' cooperation.”

She invited her counterpart to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience.