Gen (retd) VK Singh, union minister of state for development of north eastern region, external affairs and overseas Indian affairs, meets Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gonobhaban on Saturday evening. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday pressed for the quick signing of the long-pending Teesta water sharing deal between Bangladesh and India, reports UNB. “Teesta water sharing deal should be signed quickly as Bangladesh needs more water during the lean period,” she said. The Prime Minister said this when an Indian delegation, led by General (retd) VK Singh, Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region, External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs, met her at her official residence Ganabhaban in the evening. PM’s Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhury briefed reporters after the meeting. He said both Hasina and VK Singh discussed various issues relating to mutual interests, especially the trade and investment, between Bangladesh and the northeastern states of India. The Prime Minister hoped that all the pending issues, including the Teesta water sharing and land boundary agreement with India, would be signed very soon. About transit, Sheikh Hasina requested the Indian government to give transit to Bangladesh with Nepal and Bhutan through India. “We also want the same from you, as we’re already for providing this to you,” she said. In reply, VK Singh agreed to give transit to Bangladesh by using Indian land. “Yes, you’ll get it,” he said. The Indian minister also said a rail-line should be built along the existing road that connects Bangladesh with Nepal and Bhutan, and underscored the need for strengthening the existing water protocol between the two neighbouring countries. In this connection, Singh mentioned that the issue is likely to be discussed at the next Shipping Secretary-level meeting between the two countries in November next. The Indian minister expressed gratitude to the Bangladesh government for allowing Indian transports to carry rice by using Ashuganj river port, and mentioned that the Indian government will construct an 11-km railroad from Akhaura to Agartala. “We want to create an environment for increasing trade and investment between the northeastern states of India and Bangladesh.” He also said the ‘Border Hats’ have increased the people-to-people contact between the two countries. About the visit of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh, Singh said Modi is keen to visit Bangladesh and it may take place any time. Hasina said the people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting to welcome the Indian Prime Minister. She recalled the help of Indian government and its people, especially its northeastern states, during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr Mukul Sangma, Minister of Industry of Tripura Tapan Chakravarty, Parliamentary Secretary of Meghalaya Kennedy Khyriem, Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran and founder president of India-Bangladesh chamber of commerce and Industry Matlub Ahmad were among the Indian delegation.
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