Indian president's visit
Promise of progress
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's Dhaka visit comes with promise of stronger ties between Bangladesh and India through the assurance of implementation of all agreed decisions between the two countries. While Bangladesh has done its part thus far, we have been waiting for India to do its, and we heartily welcome the head of state's firm commitment to implementing all pledge-bound but yet unresolved issues soon, as stated in his discussion with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as the foreign and finance ministers.
These include the signing of the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement and ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement, the latter in India's current budget session. Though no timeline has been provided, we hope that these will be done at the earliest opportunity. The Indian president has also expressed an interest in the issue of the now to be self-funded Padma Bridge and assured that India would provide its second trench of USD 50 million grant to Bangladesh for the Padma Bridge project next month.
President Mukherjee has also expressed his gratitude at his and other Indians' being conferred the "Friends of Liberation War" honour. Indeed, the president's visit in fact his first foreign visit since taking office -- despite the current volatile political situation in the country goes to show his goodwill towards Bangladesh. His visit to the Savar Smritishoudho upon arrival, which may otherwise have been considered routine, carries extra significance at a time when the trial of the war criminals and the Shahbagh movement have brought the war of liberation into renewed focus. His concern regarding the current political violence, particularly that carried out against minority communities in Bangladesh, is yet another reminder for ourselves about the political crisis we are currently undergoing and the image of Bangladesh being portrayed around the world.
We believe and hope this visit truly holds promise of better things to come in terms of the relationship with our neighbour and regional cooperation in the sub-continent overall.
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