Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India; NRC On Agenda

NEW DELHI/DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in New Delhi on a four-day visit on Thursday that will see her hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during which several bilateral agreements are set to be inked. The NRC issue is to figure in the discussion.

Dhaka plans to raise the issue of sharing of the Teesta river waters, and also the National Register of Citizens (NRC) during the talks.

Hasina, who arrived here as the head of a large delegation, is set to hold talks with PM Modi on Saturday, and call on President Ram Nath Kovind the same evening.

On Friday, she will attend an interactive session with select CEOs of India and the Inauguration of India-Bangladesh Business Forum (IBBF) and WEF Closing Plenary. Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Heng Swee Keat will call on Sheikh Hasina on Friday evening.

On Saturday morning, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on her. On Sunday, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi would call on her. Noted Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who is directing a film on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will also call on her.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, briefing reporters in Dhaka on her visit, said Hasina is set to discuss a number of bilateral issues, including the killing of Bangladeshis by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the border and a framework agreement on common rivers including Teesta, with Modi on Saturday.

The issue of repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar and arms purchase from India would also figure.

According to Momen, around 10 to 12 bilateral agreements are set to be inked, including in the areas of youth and sports, shipping, economy, ocean research, fixation of standard of products, commerce, education, ICT and establishment of economic zones.

There is also a possibility that a standard operating procedure will be signed regarding import and export using Chittagong and Mongla ports.

Additionally, Bangladesh will seek India’s cooperation with regard to the repatriation of over 1.1 million Rohingyas, currently living in cramped refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, said Momen.

Momen also said that a framework has been prepared regarding the seven common rivers between and Bangladesh and India, including the Teesta, but did not go into details, Dhaka Tribune said.

The Assam’s citizenship exercise of NRC has also raised concern in Bangladesh as many fear that those rendered non-citizens of India may be pushed into Bangladesh. However, India maintains that it is their internal issue which in no way will affect Bangladesh, Momen said. (IANS)

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