Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh is set to visit India for a bilateral meeting before her official trip to China in July. She is expected to arrive in New Delhi on June 21 and depart the following evening. The key meeting is scheduled for June 22 at Hyderabad House. This visit follows her attendance at the oath-taking ceremony in Delhi on June 9, where she had a private meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inviting him to visit Dhaka later this year.
Expected Agenda
The agenda for the upcoming meeting includes several critical issues. Bangladesh is keen to address the pending Teesta River water-sharing agreement and renew the Ganges River water-sharing agreement, which expires in 2026. Additionally, both sides aim to establish a new mechanism to reduce border killings. Bangladesh seeks to start immediate negotiations on these matters, with the Joint River Commission expected to commence talks soon.
Why is the visit important? This is what an expert says:
“India was keen to have PM Hasina before her proposed China visit. And the Bangladesh leader also does not want to annoy the most trusted neighbour India,” explains Guatam Lahiri, Senior Journalist and Bangladesh Commentator.
According to Lahiri, “Earlier Dhaka agreed to have the first ever joint military exercise with the PLA in the month of May. But PM Hasina as defence minister postponed that exercise. India is keen to have joint military exercises with Bangladesh, however, this has not happened so far.
Keeping the security situation in Myanmar border, Dhaka may agree to that. Moreover India wants speedy implementation of US$ 500 million Line of Credit (LOC) on defence.”
“China was keen to fund the Teesta basin development project which may annoy India. Dhaka has also put in hold the China project. Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, when visiting Dhaka last month agreed in principle to participate in Teesta river basin management,” Lahiri tells FinancialExpress.com.
Moreover, “Ganges water sharing agreement is to be renewed in 2026. This is one of the important agenda to take up. India also wants speedy implementation of CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) to boost investment and trade for mutual benefit,” he states.
China’s interest in investing in the Teesta River water basin development project has added complexity to the discussions. Due to India’s reservations about China’s involvement, Bangladesh has put the project on hold.
It has been reported previously, last month, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Dhaka and expressed India’s intention to be a stakeholder in the Teesta River development project on the Bangladesh side. Both nations might agree on dredging the Teesta River to infuse more water.
India is also keen to advance a new bilateral economic partnership, seeking a greater role in the Mongla sea port, similar to its involvement in the Chabahar Port in Iran. A new sea route extending to the Indo-Pacific is also on the agenda. Additionally, India aims to expand the “Sagar” project to the Indian Ocean region, enhancing maritime cooperation.
During the oath-taking ceremony in Delhi, important Indian Ocean archipelago nations like Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives were represented. During this time, PM Hasina also met with the Prime Minister of Bhutan and the President of Sri Lanka. Bangladesh aims to import more hydro power from Bhutan, which requires India’s consent. It is hoped that India may agree to transport power from Bhutan to Bangladesh via Indian Territory.
Further discussions are ongoing between the two countries to inaugurate the Feni Moitree Bridge for public transport soon and to open the second unit of the Rampal Moitree power plant. Both projects are expected to be symbolically opened during the bilateral meeting. Passenger movement through Maitri Setu, the bridge connecting India and Bangladesh in south Tripura district, is set to commence by September this year. The Maitri Setu, spanning 1.9 km over the Feni River, connects Sabroom in India with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.
Negotiations on a CEPA may also start during this visit. India is keen to enhance defence cooperation and the speedy utilization of a $500 million line of credit for this purpose. There is optimism in the South Block about the implementation of the LOC and a proposal for joint military exercises is on the cards.
This visit is crucial for both nations as they seek to strengthen their bilateral ties and address pressing issues ahead of PM Hasina’s visit to China.