Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali has called for synergies between the vibrant economies of the two close neighbours to accelerate the growth for the benefits of their people.
“We need to combine our synergies in different areas for mutual benefits of both the countries as well as of the region,” said Ali in a keynote speech on India-Bangladesh relations at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Haryana’s Rohtak.
The Bangladesh envoy was the chief guest at the function organized to mark the induction of the 10th batch of students in the prestigious institute’s postgraduate programme.
Dr. Subramanian Swamy, a Member of Parliament, also spoke at the function.
Syed Muazzem said the economies of both Bangladesh and India are growing fast.
“Bangladesh looks forward to taking full advantage of the high growth of the Indian economy to further her own economic development. A fast developing Bangladesh also offers opportunities to India to further deepen its economic relations,” he said.
He pointed out trade, investment, connectivity and energy as the three key areas of immediate focus.
Paying tributes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, the envoy said their dynamic leadership has taken the ties beyond the strategic partnership level encompassing all aspects of bilateral cooperation.
The re-elections of both the leaders will enable the two countries to further consolidate and expand the ever-increasing bilateral ties, based on shared vision and mutuality of interest, he said.
Quoting the Indian premier Syed Muazzem said Bangladesh-India relation is passing through a “Golden Chapter” or “Sonali Adhyay” and has presently emerged as a “role model” for “Neighborhood Diplomacy” and countries in other parts of the world should follow this model of “Neighborhood relations”.
He listed security, fight against terrorism, energy cooperation, bilateral and sub-regional connectivity, water sharing, trade and investment, lines of credit, defence cooperation and people-to-people contact as key features of India-Bangladesh relations.
Referring to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh Syed Muazzem said Bangladesh seeks continuous support of India and international community to put pressure on Myanmar for taking back their citizens.
The ultimate solution to the crisis can come only when Myanmar recognizes Rohingyas as their citizens and take over a million of refugees back home.
“What we are working on is the early, safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to their home in Myanmar,” he said.