New Delhi: Carrying a “message of friendship and goodwill” from the Indian government, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday gave a commitment to address Bangladesh’s concerns on sharing of Teesta waters and implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement “in a manner that improves the welfare and well-being of our peoples”.
She also announced India’s decision to ease tourist visa norms for Bangladeshi nationals under 13 and above 65. They will now get multiple-entry visas for five years instead of one year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also wrote to Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Wajed, pledging to further strengthen the framework of ties even as he hoped a “new era” of cooperation would be fostered across South Asia to “ignite the collective surge for prosperity”.
Mr Modi, thanking Sheikh Hasina for her letter on his assuming office, accepted her invitation to visit Bangladesh, and also invited her to visit India soon. He emphasised that for India, Bangladesh is “not merely a neighbour, but a nation with which we share history, culture, civilisation, and enduring links’.
In his letter, handed over by Ms Swaraj to Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka Thursday, Mr Modi wrote, “My government will apply itself to further accelerating our engagement and strengthening the framework of our relationship.” The MEA spokesman said all “staple” matters came up during the discussion.
