July 15, 2018
The leaders discussed cooperation in economic activities, technology exchanges, humanitarian projects as well as in countering terrorism and radicalization
Bilateral trade and commerce between the strategic partners has grown to US$9.1 billion in financial year 2017-18, from US$7.1 billion in 2014-15
There are more than 50 bilateral institutional mechanisms between India and Bangladesh in the areas of security, trade, energy, transport and technology
Mr Singh inaugurated the Bangladesh-India Friendship Building at the Bangladesh Police Academy, foundation stone of which was laid in 2015 by Indian PM Modi
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh met Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, in Dhaka on July 14, during his visit to attend the 6th meeting of the Home Minister level talks. The leaders discussed cooperation in economic activities, technology exchanges, humanitarian projects as well as in countering terrorism and radicalization. There are more than 50 bilateral institutional mechanisms between India and Bangladesh in the areas of security, trade and commerce, power and energy, transport and connectivity, science and technology, defence, rivers and maritime affairs, among others. Bilateral trade between the strategic partners has grown to US$9.1 billion in financial year 2017-18, from US$7.1 billion in 2014-15. Meanwhile, total Indian investment proposals in Bangladesh registered with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has exceeded US$3 billion.
During Mr Singh’s visit, co-chaired the 6th meeting of the Home Minister level talks with his Bangladesh counterpart, Asaduzzaman Khan in Dhaka on July 15. At the meeting, all security related matters such as counter-terrorism, capacity building and increased cooperation between security agencies, border management, countering illegal activities such as fake currency, drug and human trafficking, were discussed. The Governments also signed the Revised Travel Arrangement 2018 (RTA 2018), amending the earlier RTA 2013, for further liberalizing the visa regime between the two countries, including enhanced duration for employment and student visas. Mr Singh and Mr Khan jointly inaugurated the Bangladesh-India Friendship Building at the Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah, foundation stone of which was laid in 2015 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and PM Hasina.
The newly inaugurated facility incorporates state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratories, Mock Crime Scenes, Mock Police Station, IT Centre with computer labs, among other facilities. A preliminary agreement was also signed between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Hyderabad and the Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah, Rajshahi to establish mutual cooperation in the sphere of training, management and exchange of resources. Beyond cooperation in trade and investment, India has extended three lines of credits (LOC) to Bangladesh over the past seven years amounting to US$8 billion. The agreements makes Bangladesh the largest recipient of LOC funds from India till date. The LOCs support projects related to public transportation and transport infrastructure, power generation and transmission, SEZs, health and medical care and Technical Education, telecommunications, among others.