India pledges vaccine support to Bangladesh

India promised to promptly and effectively deliver to Bangladesh the Covid-19 vaccines it is producing as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi held a virtual summit yesterday.

The two PMs also expressed their interest in expanding the already-strong bilateral and regional economic cooperation by improving connectivity while resolving existing issues, including water sharing and management and bringing down border killings to zero.

Stating that Bangladesh is a significant pillar of India's "Neighbourhood First" policy, Modi said pharmaceutical companies on both sides have already arranged plans for supply of vaccines. The prospect of cooperation in production will also be explored, he added.

The Bangladesh government and a local pharmaceutical company have already signed an agreement with Serum Institute of India for Covid-19 vaccines.

"Whenever vaccine is produced, India will give us three crore vaccines," said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at a press conference at State Guesthouse Padma after the PM-level summit, which lasted for an hour and 15 minutes.

The vaccines will be purchased at a "friendship price", he said.

In a separate press conference, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami said India is working quietly and strategically on best practices, supply chain and management of the vaccine not only with Bangladesh, but also with Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Mauritius.

"We will be very willing if the Bangladesh side wants us to help improve facilities and also facilitate co-production here," he said.

The summit was held at a historical time as the countries are in their 50th year of diplomatic relationships. Bangladesh is also celebrating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and preparing to celebrate its 50th independence anniversary next year.

Sheikh Hasina said India is a true friend of Bangladesh and expressed her gratitude to the country and the Indian Army for their support during the 1971 Liberation War.

The two premiers inaugurated a postal stamp of Bangabandhu and the Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition. They also inaugurated the Holdibari-Chilahati rail link, which remained unused since the India-Pakistan war in 1965, and inaugurated two community development projects.

They also signed seven MoUs and adapted a 39-point joint statement following the meeting.

Both countries will also organise commemorative activities next year, including a biographical film on Bangabandhu by acclaimed director Shyam Benegal, to be shot in Bangladesh and India early next year.

TEESTA AND OTHER RIVERS

According to the joint statement, Hasina sought early signing of the interim agreement for sharing of the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both governments in 2011.

In response, Modi reiterated India's sincere commitment and continued efforts in that regard.

Indian High Commissioner Doraiswami said he could not give any specific timeframe for signing of the deal, but was working on it.

However, he said that a joint technical committee is working on water sharing of six other rivers -- Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar. The committee would meet before the Joint Rivers Commission at the soonest possible time.

Dhaka requested Delhi to allow excavation work on the remaining portion of the Rahimpur Khal for utilisation of the water of Kushiyara river for irrigation.

Both countries agreed to carry out necessary work to convert the international boundary along the Kuhsiyara river into a fixed boundary.

Bangladesh reiterated its request for 1.3km of "Innocent Passage" along the Padma river near Rajshahi. The Indian side assured that they would consider the request.

Momen said Bangladesh also requested the early demarcation of Muhuri, Ichhamoti, Kalindi, Raimangal and Hariabhanga rivers.

He said both sides agreed to hold an early meeting of the Joint Boundary Conference to prepare a new set of strip maps along the stretch of the rivers. The joint statement, however, omitted the river Muhuri.

BORDER KILLINGS

Bangladesh expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives at the India-Bangladesh border. India shared the concern and directed border forces concerned to enhance coordination measures to work towards bringing such border incidents to zero.

Doraiswami said Modi gave clear instructions to the Border Security Force (BSF) that lethal force is to be used only as the last resort. PM Hasina also acknowledged that Indians are also killed and injured in such incidents.

"We don't want any black spots in our relationship," Foreign Minister Momen said, adding that some criminal activities also take place at the borders where some illegal traders from Bangladesh are also to blame.

Both sides agreed to facilitate the completion of border fencing at all pending sectors as soon as possible, beginning with the Tripura-Bangladesh sector.

TRADE, ECONOMY, CONNECTIVITY

Both countries expressed their commitment to strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation on trade and connectivity, emphasising on removing non-tariff barriers so that both countries can take full advantage of the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) flexibility.

Momen said Dhaka requested Delhi to remove anti-dumping/anti-circumvention duties on export of jute products from Bangladesh. Delhi expected a quick resolution.

Bangladesh requested India to convey in advance any amendments to India's export policy of essential commodities to Bangladesh. The Indian side took note of this request.

Momen said the issue was significant as Bangladesh had to face trouble after India this year restricted onion exports without prior information.

Both prime ministers directed officials to expeditiously conclude the ongoing joint study on the prospects of entering into a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as Bangladesh graduates from the LDC list in four years.

The two leaders welcomed the signing of the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), trial run of trans-shipment of Indian goods from Kolkata to Agartala via Chattogram and the operationalisation of the Sonamura-Daudkandi Protocol route, and sought speedy operationalisation of trans-shipment of Indian goods through Chattogram and Mongla Ports.

Doraiswami said Bangladesh can also use the Indian ports for third-country export.

Bangladesh sought quick operationalisation of BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Motor Vehicle Agreement through signing of protocols among India, Bangladesh and Nepal to commence movement of goods and passengers, with provisions for Bhutan to join at a later date.

Hasina sought to join the ongoing India Myanmar Thailand trilateral highway project to enhance connectivity between the regions of south and south-east Asia.

The Indian side requested Bangladesh to allow connectivity from West Bengal (Hilli) to Meghalaya (Mahendraganj) via Bangladesh.

Hasina proposed that Bangladeshi trucks avail the Feni Bridge, once completed, for transportation of goods from Chattogram port to north-eastern India.

Modi invited Bangladesh to join the New Development Bank of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Hasina expressed willingness to join it considering concessionary loans for infrastructure projects.

In response to Bangladesh's request for India's assistance in quick Rohingya repatriation, India said they agree that the solution to the crisis lies in sustainable repatriation.

Indian High Commissioner Dowaiswami said India, alongside Japan, is investing for development in Rakhine for creating a conducive environment for repatriation.