Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the flag off ceremony of a bus service between the two countries in Dhaka on Saturday (Photo: PTI)
Dhaka: India and Bangladesh on Saturday opened a new chapter in their ties as they settled the 41-year-old boundary dispute and promised to do more in other areas amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a fresh line of credit of $2 billion to the neighbouring country.
With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee standing by his side, Mr Modi, on his maiden visit here, also expressed confidence to have a “fair solution” to the Teesta and Feni river water-sharing issues with Bangladesh “with the support of state governments in India”.
Read: Narendra Modi hopeful on Teesta river
After extensive talks between Mr Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the two sides signed 22 agreements, including on cooperation in maritime safety and to curb human trafficking and fake Indian currency.
Ms Hasina, whose country is seen as a hiding ground for insurgents of northeast India, also promised “zero tolerance” stance against terrorism.
Read: Narendra Modi visits 1971 war memorial in Bangladesh
She said the two countries agreed to set up two SEZs to bridge the growing trade deficit. Mr Modi promised to do “everything” to address it.
Today in Dhaka I will visit Sree Sree Dhakeshwari Temple, Ramakrishna Mission & meet political & business leaders of Bangladesh.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2015
