India-Bangladesh Relations

• India and Bangladesh signed 5 MoUs in the fields of Disaster Management, trade, NCC, ICT and setting up of sports facilities recently.
• Foundation stone was laid for infrastructure development for power evacuation facilities from the Rooppur Nuclear power plant.
• The Bangladesh leg of the Banagabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition was inaugurated by the two Prime Ministers.
• It will be taken to other parts of the world including the UN.
• Both the leaders also unveiled the foundation stone for the construction of a memorial at Ashuganj honoring the martyrs of Indian armed forces in the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.
• India gifted 109 life support ambulances to Bangladesh and also 1.2 million doses of the Covishield vaccine.
• Three border haats were also opened along the India-Bangladesh border.

Other announcements made:

• A direct passenger train named ‘Mitali Express’ will run between Dhaka and New Jalpaiguri.
• Indian Prime Minister invited 50 young entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to connect with India’s start up ecosystem
• 1000 Subarno Jayanti Scholarships were announced for the Bangladeshi students to study in India at the Undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• A Bangabandhu Chair will be established at Delhi University to facilitate Bangladesh studies.
• Both countries agreed to start a new area of cooperation in the Civil nuclear and space sectors.
• Following places were visited by Indian Prime Minister on his Bangladesh visit:
• Birthplace of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara.
• Jeshoreshwari temple in Satkhira.
• Harimandir in Orakandi and addressed the representatives of the Matua community.

SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES