They were of the view that policy makers of the two SAARC countries should come up with concrete collaborative steps so that the relations between the two next door neighbours could further develop and strengthen in coming days.
The importance of a mutual cooperation came up for discussion at the inaugural session of a three-day dialogue on "Cooperative Development, Peace and Security in the South and Central Asia: Strengthening India-Bangladesh Relations"
A Bangladesh Unnayan Parishad (BUP), in the association with Bangladesh Network Environmental Governance (BENG), jointly organised the event at Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation on five key issues -- Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, Water Development and Sharing, Connectivity, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Advisor (International Affairs) the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Dr Gowhar Rizvi said there are a number of the problems faced by both the neighbouring countries such as poverty, security, child and women trafficking and terrorism.
"It cannot be resolved alone. It can be solved through collective and joint efforts," he said, adding that a relationship between the two South Asian countries has received a boost after the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Delhi last year when three treaties were signed in connection.
"I think both Prime Ministers are very much committed to face any problems jointly to make the region safer," the advisor said, adding that no one can prosper leaving his neighbour in the problems.
"For our mutual benefits we should expand trade and investment in the areas by developing connectivity and focus should be on building infrastructures so that other countries around us can use it,"
Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter said the agreements signed between the two nations last year had created huge business opportunities for Bangladesh business community in the northeastern part of India where 10 per cent of the country's total budget allocation was spent
"Bangladesh exports also grew by 5 times in India over the last few years and both the nations took their stand against terrorism and fundamentalism for the sake of prosperity in the areas," the high commissioner said.
He said security in the border areas was the big challenge for the mutual understanding among both sides. But discussions were going on between high-ups of both the border forces in this regard.
The high commissioner said a number of Indian investors have now started investment in Bangladesh. "A power plant with a capacity of 1300mw electricity will be installed by 2012-13 jointly in Bangladesh."
The high commissioner said a number of Indian investors have now started investment in Bangladesh. "A power plant with a capacity of 1300mw electricity will be installed by 2012-13 jointly in Bangladesh."
About visa processing, he said his office issues 2000 visas a day to the Bangladeshi nationals.
Professor Sucha Sing Gill from India said joint efforts can help both the countries resolve all kinds of obstacles which are against the economic development.
The century will be a century for Asia this time as the region is growing very fast than others," he said, adding that the dialogue will help reach some concrete suggestions to be handed over later to the governments of Bangladesh and India for inter-relation developmen
Among others, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman, editorial director of a India Today MJ Akbar and Ambassador CM Shafi Sami also spoke on the occasion.
No comments:
Post a Comment