Bangladesh significant pillar of India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy: PM Modi at India-Bangladesh summit

PM Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina held a bilateral summit in a virtual mode on December 17, 2020. The two leaders had a comprehensive discussions on the entire spectrum of the bilateral relationship.

During the summit, PM Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina  discussed further strengthening the cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the post-COVID-19 era. According to the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, quick impact projects will also be inaugurated during the summit including the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link, a pre-1965 connectivity line.

Addressing the India-Bangladesh virtual summit with PM Sheikh Hasina. https://t.co/ewHLRWvVLZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 17, 2020

India-Bangladesh virtual summit: Highlights

• PM Modi during the virtual bilateral summit with the PM of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, assured that Bangladesh is an extreme significant pillar of India's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy and strengthening relations with Bangladesh has always been a priority of PM Modi's government. 

Bangladesh is a significant pillar of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy. To strengthen relations with Bangladesh has been a priority for me since the first day: PM Modi https://t.co/lEnWlpR6Ur pic.twitter.com/7WHM57u7wf

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

• Prime Minister Modi also talked about the ongoing health crisis and how this year has been full of challenges due to the pandemic. He noted that during this time, India and Bangladesh maintained good cooperation in the sphere of COVID vaccine and working with health professionals. 

• Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina appreciated PM Modi and the government for the manner in which the pandemic has been countered in India.

I must commend you for the manner in which your government has countered #COVID19: Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina during virtual summit with PM Modi pic.twitter.com/OdyXQWaTlo

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

• Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also paid homage to the 3 million martyrs, members of the Indian armed forces who laid their lives in the 1971 war. She also paid her gratitude to the Indian government and people of India who supported the cause of Bangladesh liberation.

I pay deep homage to the 3 million martyrs who laid their lives. I pay tribute to the members of the Indian armed forces martyred in the 1971 war. I pay my gratitude to the govt and people of India who extended wholehearted support for the cause of our liberation: Bangladesh PM https://t.co/CRBIx0GWhC pic.twitter.com/OiS3c67MaU

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

Inauguration of Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition:

During the virtual bilateral summit between India and Bangladesh, PM Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Bangabandhu-Bapu digital exhibition. During the inauguration, PM Modi stated that it is a matter of pride he is getting to release a digital exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He added that they both will continue to inspire youths.

India-Bangladesh Virtual Summit: PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurate the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition pic.twitter.com/ZVNMu4huiF

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

Reopening of Chilahati-Haldibari rail link:

The inauguration of Chilahati-Haldibari rail link between India and Bangladesh took place during the virtual summit of the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India. The link will increase connectivity and transport between the two nations.

The rail link has been opened after nearly 55 years as it was cut off during the India-Pakistan War in 1965. It was part of the broad gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri but the war of 1965 cut off the all the railway links between India and Bangladesh. 

India-Bangladesh Virtual Summit: PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurate the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link between India & Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/sBtIPsdD7N

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

The restoration of the rail link is the result of the commitment of reviving and operationalizing the 6 pre-1965 rail links between the two nations. It will further enhance the connectivity and people-to-people ties.

With the inauguration of Chilahati-Haldibari rail link, five out of 6 rail links will become operational. The other four between India and Bangladesh are Gede-Darshana, Petrapole-Benapole, Radhikapur-Birol, Singhabad-Rohanpur.

Commemorative stamp on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:

During the summit, the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh also released a commemorative stamp on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

India-Bangladesh Virtual Summit: PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina release a commemorative stamp on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman pic.twitter.com/VatbgjZwCj

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

PM Modi invited for Bangladesh’s 50th Independence Day:

Prime Minister Modi has been invited to Bangladesh to jointly celebrate the 50th Independence Day of the country on March 26, 2021. He is expected to travel to Dhaka in 2021. Reportedly, a sixth rail route from Dhaka to Siliguri is also expected to be flagged off on the occasion of the 50th Independence Day.

Bangladesh's PM, Sheikh Hasina while extending the invitation to PM Modi stated that Bangladesh is on the verge of celebrating 50 years as an independent nation and PM Modi's visit to Dhaka will be a crowning glory of both the nation's joint commemoration of Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.

Bangladesh is on the verge of celebrating 50 years as an independent nation. Your (PM Modi) visit to Dhaka on 26th March 2021 will be the crowning glory of our joint commemoration of Bangladesh's Liberation War 1971: Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina pic.twitter.com/MNdjUqrYid

— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2020

India-Bangladesh relations:

Continuous regular exchanges have been maintained at the highest level between India and Bangladesh. In October 2019, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had paid an official visit to India while in March 2020 PM Modi had delivered a video message on the historic occasion of Mujib Borsho.

Both the leaders of the neighbouring countries have also remained in regular touch during the ongoing pandemic.