PM Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Discuss Power and Connectivity Projects

India and Bangladesh have agreed to enhance their power and energy collaboration, including trading electricity generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. During Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India, significant agreements were signed, including the export of 40 MW of power from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina held a bilateral meeting where they discussed their shared vision for peace, prosperity, and development driven by connectivity, commerce, and collaboration. As part of sub-regional connectivity initiatives, India will extend transit facilities for the movement of Bangladeshi goods to Nepal and Bhutan through the railway network.

India is committed to the early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement to promote sub-regional connectivity. A new MOU on Railway Connectivity was welcomed, along with the decision to commence goods-train service from Gede-Darshana through Chilahati-Haldibari up to Hasimara via Dalgaon railhead at the India-Bhutan border.

India will expedite the construction of a 765 kV high-capacity interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar with suitable Indian financial assistance to enhance grid connectivity. Additionally, India will start an e-medical visa facility for Bangladeshi nationals seeking medical treatment in India and open a new consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh.

During the visit, the two countries signed 10 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and made several announcements. PM Sheikh Hasina is the first leader on a state visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government. She had earlier visited India to attend PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.