India and Bangladesh Pledge Cooperation for a Safer Indo-Pacific Region
New Delhi, India – June 23: India and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met during her two-day State visit to India and issued a joint statement.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
The two nations agreed to co-lead the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). They will work together to mitigate disaster risks, build resilient infrastructure, and sustain the shared maritime region.
Global Cooperation
India and Bangladesh pledged to work together on global platforms to promote their common interests, especially those of the Global South. They aim to strengthen regional and sub-regional integration under BIMSTEC, SAARC, and IORA architectures.
Economic Partnership
The countries committed to enhancing trade and investment linkages, including early negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and operationalizing two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Mongla and Mirsharai. They also plan to improve connectivity and trade infrastructure.
Defence Cooperation
India and Bangladesh agreed to strengthen defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. They will explore defence industrial cooperation for the modernization of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and continue multifaceted military engagements.
Water Resource Management
The nations will prioritize water resource management, including the exchange of data and formulating a framework for interim water sharing. They welcomed the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to discuss the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996 and agreed to undertake conservation and management of the Teesta River.
State Visit
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on June 21 for a two-day State visit at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi. This was the first incoming bilateral State visit after PM Modi’s third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha elections. Sheikh Hasina also attended PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on June 9.
