Dhaka, Bangladesh (CU)_ Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Ac Abdul Momen said that India and Bangladesh maintain a healthy and friendly relationship and expressed confidence that Bangladesh’s expectations from India will be fulfilled. While addressing the reporters at his office, he said, “India is the closest friend of Bangladesh. India thinks the same way. I think our expectations will be met”. The foreign minister, while replying to a question on water sharing problems, said they were hopeful of a compromise covering all common rivers.
In March 2021, Bangladesh and India are planning to organize an in-person summit if the Covid-19 pandemic situation permits. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wholeheartedly thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he accepted her invitation to visit Bangladesh in person in March 2021 to participate in the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh and the 50 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will be visiting India most likely in the last week of this month to discuss the programs of the PM-level talks. The Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting at the level of foreign ministers of the two countries will also be discussed during the meet.
Vikram K Doraiswami, Indian High Commissioner for Bangladesh, recently said that they want to step “very quickly” on the water sharing of six common rivers during this 50th anniversary celebration year of 2021, indicating that the spirit of cooperation and sharing between the two countries remains very strong. He also said that the Technical Committee meeting will probably take place in the first week of January, and then the two countries will set up a broad mechanism for water sharing. He said that following the meeting of the Technical Committee, the Water Management Secretariats will conduct a meeting with the plan that both sides will try and finalize it within 2021.
