At the invitation of His Excellency Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, paid a State Visit to India on 21-22 June 2024. During their discussions, the two leaders recognized the strengthened India-Bangladesh partnership, rooted in historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic linkages. Inspired by the spirit of their shared sacrifices in 1971 and guided by new aspirations of the 21st century, they jointly articulated a Shared Vision for peace, prosperity, and development. This vision is driven by connectivity, commerce, and collaboration.
Prime Minister Modi and Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh reaffirmed their shared conviction that progress and prosperity are interlinked, aiming to steer India-Bangladesh ties towards a future-oriented partnership. Both nations recognize each other as indispensable partners in realizing their national development visions: “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041.”
Bangladesh and India, close neighbours with rapidly advancing capabilities, converge at the intersection of India’s “Neighborhood First” policy, “Act East” policy, SAGAR doctrine, and Indo-Pacific vision. Bangladesh is an indispensable partner in India’s northeastern region’s development. Similarly, Bangladesh regards India as its closest and friendly neighbor, valuing their partnership in pursuing a Neighborhood Foreign Policy aimed at ensuring shared peace and prosperity. This shared commitment was underscored in a joint statement following the signing of multiple MoUs between the two nations.
India and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors through the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). MoUs include a shared vision for India-Bangladesh Digital and Green Partnership; MoU on Maritime Cooperation and Blue Economy; MoU between In-Space and Bangladesh’s Ministry of ICT and Telecom; MoU between Ministry of Railways, Government of India and Ministry of Railways, Government of Bangladesh for railway connectivity; MoU for Cooperation in Oceanography between Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute (BORI) and India’s National Institute of Oceanographic Institute (NIO) under CSIR; MoU between Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Mirpur for cooperation concerning Military education in the field of strategic and operational studies; Renewal of MoU for cooperation in Health and Medicine; Renewal of MoU between NDMA and Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for cooperation in the field of Disaster Management, Resilience and Mitigation; Renewal of MoU for cooperation in Fisheries.