India and Bangladesh have reaffirmed their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. The two countries have pledged to co-lead the disaster risk reduction and management pillar of the Indo-Pacific Initiative (IPOI) and work together to reduce disaster risks.

A joint statement was issued following the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina during the latter’s two-day state visit to India.

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The joint statement by India and Bangladesh said: “In recognition of the contribution of our partnership to regional peace, security and stability, we reaffirm our commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.”

“Based on our shared visions for the Indo-Pacific region and recognizing the region's vulnerability to adverse impacts of climate change, we will jointly lead the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management pillar of the Indo-Pacific Initiative (IPOI) and work together to reduce disaster risks, build disaster-resilient infrastructure, and contribute to the preservation of our shared maritime region,” it said.

The two countries are committed to working together on global platforms to advance their common interests, particularly those of the Southern Hemisphere.

“With our extensive bilateral cooperation, we also see India-Bangladesh relations as an important anchor for regional and sub-regional integration under the BIMSTEC, SAARC and IORA architectures. We will work together on global platforms to advance our common interests, especially the interests of the Global South,” the joint statement said.

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According to the joint statement, India and Bangladesh must build on their relations to a “deeper and higher quality relationship” in the coming days based on mutual trust and benefit.

India and Bangladesh have committed to strengthening their trade and investment ties with each other, including initiating negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in the near future, early commissioning of two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offered by Bangladesh to India in Mongla and Mirsharai, opening of new border areas, trade facilitation to promote bilateral trade and improving road, rail, air and sea connectivity.

The joint statement said: “We are committed to working towards promoting the prosperity of our people and will strengthen our trade and investment relations with each other, including through the early initiation of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the early commissioning of two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) offered by Bangladesh to India at Mongla and Mirsharai, the opening of new border areas, trade facilitation to promote bilateral trade, improving road, rail, air and sea links and trade infrastructure that can transform our geographical proximity into new economic opportunities for our peoples. We will also encourage and support our private sector to seek new investment opportunities in each other's priority areas of economic development.”

India and Bangladesh have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation in the long term. Both sides will continue to work together on a variety of military operations such as exercises, training and capability development.

The joint statement said: “We recognize the important role of both countries in ensuring peace, stability and harmony in the region and will strengthen our defense cooperation with a long-term perspective.”

“In line with the plans to modernise the Bangladesh Armed Forces, we will explore the possibility of defence industrial cooperation to modernise the Bangladesh Armed Forces to strengthen their defence capability. We will continue to work closely with Bangladesh in our diverse military engagements in the form of exercises, training and capability development,” it said.

Given the importance of water resource management in our bilateral relations, both countries continue to prioritise data sharing and develop a framework for interim water sharing based on the recommendations of the Joint Rivers Commission.

India and Bangladesh welcomed the formation of a joint technical committee to start discussions on the renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, the joint statement said.

The joint statement continues: “As part of our development cooperation, we will also address the conservation and management of the Teesta River in Bangladesh with Indian assistance and within a mutually agreed timeframe.”

On June 21, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on a two-day state visit following the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Newly appointed Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed the Bangladeshi Prime Minister upon her arrival at the airport.

This was the first bilateral state visit after Prime Minister Modi assumed office for the third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha elections. Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi on June 9.