3rd India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission Meeting takes place in New Delhi

The visiting Bangladesh delegation was led by Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP, Foreign Minister, while the Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

"The Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the significant forward movement in implementation of decisions taken by the two Governments since the second JCC meeting held in Dhaka on February 16-17, 2013. This has widened the scope of bilateral cooperation and relations have become truly multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of areas including trade and investment, security, connectivity, border management, water, power, shipping, renewable energy, development cooperation, art and culture, people to people exchanges, human resource development, amongst others," read a joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Both the Ministers noted that visits of the External Affairs Minister of India in June 2014 and the Minister of State for External Affairs of India in August 2014 to Bangladesh have helped propel the bilateral agenda forward.

They noted the significance of the visit of the Bangladesh Foreign Minister to India as this is the first Ministerial visit from Bangladesh since the assumption of charge of the new Government in India in May 2014. It was noted with appreciation that the delegations for the JCC included key Secretaries of both the governments.

Acknowledging the importance of high level visits for providing dynamism and sustaining momentum in bilateral relations, the two sides looked forward to visits of the President of Bangladesh to India, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India and the Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh.

Both the countries welcomed regular exchanges between the two countries at official level, which have helped create an environment conducive to maintaining the friendly and comprehensive partnership that has developed between the two countries.

"The Ministers noted with satisfaction that preparatory work was done for the JCC by the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries in their meeting of March 2014 in New Delhi and the Foreign/External Affairs Ministries DG/JS level talks held in August 2014. They agreed that in order to maintain the momentum of relations, it was necessary for senior officials to meet regularly. It was decided that bilateral meetings of the Power, Commerce and Shipping Secretaries would be held at an early date," read the statement.

Both the  Ministers of the Asian nations expressed satisfaction at the settlement of the maritime boundary between the two countries.

"This development will enhance mutual understanding and goodwill, bring closure to the maritime boundary issue, and pave the way for cooperation in sustainable exploitation of the maritime resources of the Bay of Bengal," read the statement.

"The Ministers noted that the ratification process following the signing of the Protocol to the Land Boundary Agreement, 1974 was underway. The Protocol is expected to pave the way for resolution of pending boundary related issues," it said.

The two Ministers expressed satisfaction at the constructive discussions at recent security related meetings, including the 15th Home Secretary level talks and 14th meeting of JWG on Security held in Dhaka in September 2014 and the BSF-BGB DG-level talks held in New Delhi in August  this year.

Responding to Bangladesh side’s request for immediate opening of immigration facilities at Phulbari-Banglabandha, the Indian side conveyed that construction work has begun at Phulbari and that the immigration post would be operationalised soon.

The Ministers noted the various measures taken for enhancement of trade and investment between the two countries, and agreed that all barriers to trade should be removed.

It was noted by both sides that a significant step towards enhancing market access for Bangladesh products to India was taken through the duty free quota free access given by India to Bangladesh products in 2011.

The two sides agreed on the need to promote balanced bilateral trade and to address para-tariff and non-tariff barriers. Bangladesh side handed over a list of barriers to trade being faced by Bangladesh exports to India. Indian side agreed to examine the list.

It was also agreed to increase Indian investments in Bangladesh. This would not only reduce the trade gap but also increase Bangladesh’s exports to third countries. In this context, India welcomed the decision of Bangladesh to allocate land for a Special Economic Zone for India and extend necessary cooperation to interested Indian entrepreneurs to invest in it. The two Ministers also agreed to initiate talks for renewal of the bilateral Trade Agreement which is due to expire on Mar 31, 2015.

Both sides agreed to put in place necessary infrastructure at Thegamukh-Demagiri and Sabroom-Ramgarh for operationalization of Land Custom Stations.

They agreed to examine the existing system of LCS-specific port restrictions. The two Ministers noted the need for harmonization of standards and mutual recognition of certificates as an important element of trade facilitation. They urged quick finalization of the Agreement for Cooperation between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI).

As agreed in the last JWG on Trade, Bangladesh side handed over to the Indian side a list of NABL accredited BSTI certificates/labs for acceptance by India. Indian side took note of this information.

The two Ministers noted with appreciation the positive experience gained from the functioning of the Border Haats.

They welcomed the progress of work of Border Haats at Kamlasagar-Tarapur, Srinagar-Purbomodhugram, Palbasti-Paschim Botuli and Kamalpur-Kurmaghat (along the Bangladesh-Tripura border), understanding between the two sides regarding opening four new Border Haats at Bholaganj-Bholaganj, Nalikota-Saidabad, Shibbari-Bhuyapara and Rinku-Baganbari(along the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border).

The leaders also agreed to consider new proposals for setting up Border Haats along Bangladesh-India border that would contribute to the income generation and well-being of the people living in the border areas.

The Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of projects under the US $ 800 Million concessional Line of Credit extended by India to Bangladesh.

Both Ministers noted the progress on the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Inland River Port at Ashuganj and recognised the need for its expeditious construction.

The Indian side conveyed that the Indian government has also agreed to prepare the DPR for the Rail Container Depot at Ishwardy as decided in the Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting. The issue of upgradation/ strengthening of the Ashuganj-Akhaura road was also discussed.

Both Ministers expressed satisfaction that the MOU on Small Development Projects (SDPs) signed in February 2013 has been operationalised.

Three projects for development of civic infrastructure of Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet will be undertaken under this MoU during the current financial year.

Both Ministers emphasized the need for improving connectivity between the two countries. They welcomed the proposed trial run of Dhaka - Shillong Bus Service by 2014.

They also welcomed the addition of AC coaches to Indian Railways rake of Maitree Express from Sept 23, 2014 and increase the frequency of services from two round trips in a week to three round trips in a week within two months.

The Ministers urged the concerned authorities of both countries to devise a system of easy fulfilment of customs and immigration requirements of passengers travelling by Maitree Express.

The Indian Minister expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for facilitating the movement of food grains to meet the Public Distribution System (PDS) needs of the people of Tripura.

Both Ministers agreed that the waterways offer a cost effective and environment friendly means of transport and there is great scope for effective utilization of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT).

Both Ministers welcomed progress in discussions between the two countries on commencement of coastal shipping operations. They agreed that trial runs would be held in October 2014.

They also agreed to expeditiously conclude a bilateral Coastal Shipping Agreement and agreed that the next round of Shipping Secretary level talks will take place in Dhaka in October 2014.

The two Ministers reiterated their commitment to finalization of the Interim Agreement for sharing of the waters of the Teesta and Feni rivers.

The Indian side reiterated its earlier commitment that it would not take any unilateral decision on the Himalayan component of the proposed River Interlinking project which may adversely affect Bangladesh.

Both sides resolved to hold the 38th Meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission in Dhaka at a mutually convenient date.

The two sides also agreed upon the expeditious holding of the 3rd meeting of the Sub group of JRC on Tipaimukh hydro-electric project and further exchange of data of ongoing study.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation and achievement in the power sector. They appreciated the establishment of grid inter-connection between Bheramara-Baharampur in October 2013 and supply of 500 MW of power from India to Bangladesh through bilateral power purchase agreements.

They expressed satisfaction at the steps being taken to operationalise the supply of 100 MW of power from Palatana Power Plant in Tripura to Bangladesh.

Both sides stressed the importance of bringing about sub-regional cooperation in water resources management and power/hydropower and connectivity.
Both sides agreed to enhance telecommunication connectivity between the two countries.

Both countries also agreed to enhance cooperation in new areas including nuclear science and technology, space, health, jute and textiles, renewable energy, maritime, fisheries, oceanography, meteorological, and other areas related to development of the blue economy of the region. The Indian Minister congratulated Bangladesh Minister for successfully organizing the International Conference on Blue Economy in Dhaka in September 2014.

Both the Ministers welcomed growing exchanges between the two peoples which is helping to foster greater understanding and goodwill between the two countries. In this regard, both sides welcomed the visit of 100 member youth delegation from Bangladesh to India scheduled to take place from Oct 13-20, 2014.

Swaraj and Ali expressed satisfaction at the progress in training and capacity building.

The Bangladesh side expressed appreciation for the numerous training programmes being organized under India’s ITEC programme as well as customized courses for civil servants, police personnel, fire service personnel, railway officers, teachers, Election Commission officers, customs and revenue officers. It was agreed to further enhance cooperation between the Foreign Service Academy (FSA) of Bangladesh and the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of India.

It was noted that the Golden Jubilee of the ITEC Programme, under which many persons from Bangladesh have been trained, is being celebrated this year. It was decided that an appropriate event would be organized in Dhaka to mark the occasion.

Both Ministers expressed optimism that the forthcoming BCIM-EC meeting to be held in Bangladesh will impart dynamism to cooperation amongst the BCIM countries.

The two leaders of the neihbouring nations agreed to closely cooperate in the run up to the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November 2014, and to ensure an outcome oriented Summit. Both sides agreed to continue to work closely in the process of finalization of the Post-2015 Development Agenda at the United Nations.

The two Ministers welcomed the signing of the MoU on Nalanda University.