Media Center

Transcript of Foreign Secretary's Special Briefing on President's Visit to Bangladesh (15 December 2021)

December 16, 2021

Shri Vikram K Doraiswami, High Commissioner: Good evening friends, Salam Walekum. Namaskar. It’s a little late to say Shubho Shondha since it's almost 9:30, but thank you all for your patience. I'm pleased to welcome you here this evening and to a special moment, which is the state visit of our President to Bangladesh, the first such state visit in eight years. I'm delighted to have here on the stage with me our senior colleague, Foreign Secretary who's no stranger to you, an old friend of Bangladesh, Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who's here on the right. He will run the process. I also want to introduce Joint Secretary Bangladesh and Myanma, Smita Pant and Press secretary to the Honourable President of India, Mr. Ajay Singh, and another old friend of Bangladesh, Rajesh Uike, who's Director at the External Publicity department in the Foreign Ministry in New Delhi. Without any further ado, let me invite Foreign Secretary, Ambassador Harsh Vardhan Shringla to make an opening statement, if you will, Sir.

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary: Shubho Shondha, Good evening and Namaskar. Let me apologise for this late hour. But as you know, Honourable President has just concluded the first day of his state visit to Bangladesh. Honourable President is here at the invitation of his counterpart to participate in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Victory Day at which he is the guest of honour. We all know that this event is of great historical significance. The 16th of December marks the date on which Pakistani forces surrendered to the joint Indian and Bangladeshi forces. And it is a day on which the state of Bangladesh was created. It is a day that is important to both our countries and it is fitting that our two countries are celebrating this event jointly at the highest levels. This is the President's first visit outside India since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. It is also his first visit to Bangladesh. As you know, this year of course, has been very significant for the relationship. It marks the Triveni of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Bangladesh, 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries and also the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. And on this occasion we've had the Prime Minister visit Bangladesh, we had our External Affairs Minister visit Bangladesh and now we have the President of India visit in Bangladesh. So it's a rare occasion or rare conjuncture, in which we've had three of our senior most dignitaries visit our close and friendly neighbour in one year.

On his arrival, Rashtrapati ji was accorded a ceremonial welcome. He was received by His Excellency, President of Bangladesh, Mohammad Hamid, and he then from there proceeded to the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar to pay respect to those who were martyred in the cause of Bangladesh. At Savar he was received by the Liberation War Affairs Minister, and he was also accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture who was the Minister in waiting. Besides laying a wreath at the memorial, Honourable President also planted a sapling of the Ashoka tree at Savar. President then proceeded to the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi where he was received by Sheikh Rehana, younger daughter of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and this provided President to pay his solemn tribute to the memory of Bangabandhu and his family members. In the afternoon, President had substantive meetings with the Honourable Prime Minister as well as the Honourable Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, both of whom called on him as per protocol. With the Foreign Minister, the President expressed satisfaction on the excellent progress made in the robust and multifaceted bilateral partnership and emphasise the important role that foreign ministries play in such bilateral relationships.

With the Honourable Prime Minister, the discussion was comprehensive, encompassing many areas for multifaceted cooperation, including jointly preserving the legacy of Bangabandhu and the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, particularly among the youth of both our countries. And you're aware that we are undertaking a number of initiatives in that regard. I'll come to that, as I go on. President commented and I think he was very laudatory of the impressive socio economic gains made by Bangladesh in recent years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This evening, the President met Honourable President of Bangladesh. President noted that the Honourable President of Bangladesh himself is a valiant muktijoddha, and as such, he is a source of tremendous inspiration to people of Bangladesh and India. He also recalled that Honourable President of Bangladesh had visited India, specifically the state of Meghalaya and Tura, where he was sector commander of the Mujib bahini and that memory was very, very significant in the conversation that both of them had, and thereafter, President the First Lady attended state banquet dinner hosted by the Honourable President of Bangladesh and the first lady of Bangladesh.

To commemorate the joint sacrifices made by the armed forces of both our countries during the liberation war, President presented a replica of a 1971 era MIG 21 aircraft to the President of Bangladesh. The original aircraft itself has also been received in Bangladesh and also has been installed at the Bangladesh National Museum for the public viewership and it has been gifted to the National Museum. This is in also in tribute to the memory of the over 1,660 Indian Armed Forces personnel who sacrifice their lives for a common cause in the cause of the liberation of Bangladesh. President also announced the gifting of the Bapu Bangabandhu Digital exhibition to Bangladesh, which will be now housed in the Liberation War Museum. It has also been decided by the government of India to review the Nutan India-Bangladesh Maitree Muktijodha Sonatan Scholarship Scheme for the heirs of Bangladeshi muktijodhas. You would recall that the scheme was launched in April 2017, during the visit of the Honourable Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina to India. And some of you would also recall that when our Prime Minister visited Bangladesh earlier this year in March, he had announced the creation of the Bangabandhu chair at Delhi University. I’m happy to say that the first occupant of this chair, the first chair, has been announced today by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Tomorrow, the President and the First Lady will attend the National Programme of Victory Day as the guest of honour at the National parade ground. 122-member contingent, tri services contingent to the Indian armed forces will participate in this parade. You would recall that a strong Bangladeshi contingent, the tri services contingent also participated at our Republic day earlier this year. And this was a singular honour for both our countries. And we're looking forward to the participation of the Indian contingent tomorrow in Bangladesh‘s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Victory Day. One of our young officers Wing Commander T Asha Jyothirmai, a paratrooper from the Indian Air Force will join the Bangladesh side in a para jump, she will carry the Indian tricolour with her in that para jump as a mark of respect to the personnel of the Indian armed forces who sacrificed their lives during the liberation war.

In the evening, the President and the First Lady will attend a special programme to mark the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh and the culmination of Mujib Borsho at the South Plaza of the parliament– Jatiya Sangsad of Bangladesh. President of India will deliver his address there as the guest of honour in the presence of the Honourable President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh and other dignitaries. On the 17th of December before his departure, the President will inaugurate the renovated Sri Sri Ramna Kali Mandir, which as we know was destroyed completely destroyed by Pakistani forces during the heinous operation search light in 1971. So, it is fitting that 50 years from then we are inaugurating a renovated Ramna Kali Mandir and it is not just symbolic, but it is also a very emotional moment for both our countries. He will also meet cross section of Bangladesh's society there at that venue. After that High Commissioner, Shree Vikram Doraiswami will host the reception in honour of the President of India, where he would have an opportunity to interact with persons from different walks of life both from Bangladesh and the Indian community in Bangladesh, he will also meet a cross section of different sections of Bangladesh, including muktijodha’s of Bangladesh and war veterans from the 1971 war who have come from India. And this is again going to be a very important symbolic occasion for both sides. So I will stop here. And if there are any questions, we're happy to take them.

Speaker: Excellency, I work for The Daily Sun. My question is, given the excellent relationship between the two countries, and our relationship is tightly tied by blood and Indians have sacrificed their life for the independence of Bangladesh. And we are now celebrating the 50 years of diplomatic relationship of Bangladesh, Golden Jubilee, independence of Bangladesh and so many programmes not only Dhakha and Delhi also outside other countries in the world. So in this context, what is the next course of action or next plan of action to take the relationship in next 50 years or beyond? And another question is, we came to know that the India President has carried a special sweet and cookies for our President and Prime Minister, what is the speciality of this sweet and cookies? Thank you.

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary: Well, I think you've asked the right questions. I think when you have an occasion like this, you also need a personal touch. Rashtrapati Bhavan, the house of the President of India, like Banga Bhavan, the House the President of Bangladesh, has its own bakery. And they especially made some sweets and cookies for the Honourable President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. And those are, I would say the added touch that is there. And I think our President was keen that, you know, both the dignitaries try this out. As far as the next 50 years are concerned, I think we certainly are looking to the future. Both our countries have young populations, we are looking at dynamic growth. This is after all the Asian century. And I think we are both aspirational nations. And I think today what we have achieved is an incredible, I would say amount of synergies in connectivity, in terms of joint manufacturing, in terms of joint, let's say cooperation, resolving intractable issues in the most amicable manner. And I think what we have done is we have set the stage for an exponential increase in ties, and I think in 50 years, even in 10 years from now, you will see very changed countries, you will see a very, very different countries and I think the cooperation that we have is important. We are looking at areas of cooperation that are cutting edge, we are looking at green technologies. Working together on renewables in this era of climate change, we're looking together and working at areas that can appeal and enhance employment for younger generations like IT and digital platforms. We're looking at start-ups. I think these are the areas of the future and I think India and Bangladesh will be cooperating significantly in these areas.

Shahid Rustam Choudhary: Thank you, Excellency,this is Shahid Rustam Choudhary from New Age.No matter which party is in power in Bangladesh and whenever any VVIP visit took place from India in Bangladesh, the senior opposition leaders visited the VVIPs in the past. Is there any element this time during the visit of the President, Mr. Kovind and what is the Indian policy for engaging with the opposition? Thank you.

Snehasish: Your Excellency, this is Snehasish from Doordarshan News. Sir, would you kindly like to throw some light on the Indo Bangla joint pipeline project? And if you would like to say something about the delegation level discussions which took place. Thank you, Sir.

Rashid: Thank you, Excellency, I’m Rashid Bedi from Daily Samakal. Bangladesh and India relation is very high, of course. But this time, we see that in the aspect of geopolitics, China is now creating more influence to the South Asia countries including Bangladesh also. So do you feel any kind of impact of the China's influences on the Bangladesh India relationship? Thank you.

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary: Well I think the question was on whether there are meetings with the opposition. Traditionally, we've always had dignitaries, meet representatives with different parties. That has been the case, if you recall, in 2013, when the President of India had come, he invited opposition leaders, others to come and meet him. The fact that the meeting didn't take place is a different issue altogether. But on this occasion, it is a ceremonial occasion, we are here to commemorate at the invitation of Bangladesh a very significant unique and special event. So, this is a one off visit in which we are looking only at commemorative activities.This is not a bilateral visit in which you touch base politically, economically, culturally, socially. I don't think - A.) There is adequate time and B.) is that given the effort to ensure that the focus is on the commemorative activities hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, we don't envisage that sort of meeting that you're referring to, which is normal as I say it again, in bilateral visits, and in keeping with the traditions of democracy in both our countries. I think Ashish Ji was asking about the Indo Bangladesh friendship pipeline. This is a very, very unique and significant pipeline that enables us to integrate our energy requirements, this will use high speed diesel from Numaligarh refineries, which will be pumped from Siliguri into Parvatipur.This project is coming on stream, and this is progressing very well. And I understand that we would be in a position to inaugurate it next year. And again, this aspect was discussed with the Bangladeshi side a few days ago. And I think there was a lot of plans on how to use that diesel that would be coming through this pipeline into Bangladesh.

The third question was from, I think Rashid bhai which is essentially, you know, China's role in Bangladesh. Now, as far as we're concerned, India and Bangladesh are bound by ties of history, language, spirituality, culture. Our ties are unique, and we don't compare our relationship with those that are there with other countries. I mean our relationship is sui generis, and we don't look at what relationships are there with other countries when we, let's say, celebrate the uniqueness of our own special relationship with Bangladesh.

Massoud: Thank you very much. My name is Massoud. I work for Daily Janata Newspaper. Excellency, I welcome you again in Bangladesh. As when you were High Commissioner in Dhaka, I could remember that you had played a wonderful role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. At that time, you could change the mindset of the Indian leadership to pragmatically resolve the Rohingya crisis. Despite, this time in Myanmar, the internal situation is not very good, but what is India thinking to resolve this, as it is affecting on the region as a whole. This is my question. And another is because of the COVID situation, you could not discuss on the bilateral and outstanding issues. When you are going to start, as the COVID situation is totally in near to control? Thank you very much.

Rustam: Sir, Myself Rustam. I am from the Financial Express. My question is, we have been hearing much about economic cooperation partnership between Bangladesh & India, what is the progress in this sector? And another one is will you be happy if Bangladesh will join the Quad Alliance?

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary: Well, I think Massoud bhai had this question on both Rohingya. On that, let me start by saying that I don't change the mindset of our leadership, leadership changes my mindset. So let's make that very clear. But having said that, you know, India is the only country that shares a common land border with both Bangladesh and Myanmar. We do believe that our three countries have the potentiality to deal with our issues. We do also believe that this issue is one that can impact on all of us in the region and beyond. We have always called for sustainable, speedy return of displaced persons from the Rakhine State in Myanmar. We have always worked both with Bangladesh and Myanmar in trying to resolve this issue. You would recall that we had under the Rakhine State Development Programme contributed to the economic development of that area as a long term measure, but also constructed 250 houses that would be used to house those displaced persons who would return back to the Rakhine State, back to Myanmar. These houses are built on the villages that were earlier occupied by displaced persons and we will continue to take, in consultation with both our neighbours, steps that can help in resolving and expediting this very, very important issue.

As far as you know, the discussions between our President and the Bangladesh leadership is concerned,as I mentioned, discussions covered a broad range of areas that were part of our bilateral relationship. Of course, the most important part was to talk about the spirit of 1971, the legacy of Bangabandhu and how we can continue to work together in that regard. You know that a biopic being prepared on Bangabandhu jointly by both our countries is due to be released soon. We are working on several other initiatives in that regard. You have also seen that on the sixth of December, Maitri divas we not only celebrated this event in Dhaka and New Delhi. But we also celebrated this jointly, India and Bangladesh, in 18 capitals all over the world. Something absolutely unique and the reports that we're getting from the capitals is absolutely very, very encouraging, stimulating. So, essentially, I think what was very apparent in the discussions was that we have reached a high point in our relationship. Honourable Foreign Minister referred to it as the Sonali Adhyay. This was referred to again as you recall, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited India in 2017,the two Prime Ministers referred to it as Sonali Adhyay and he recalled the terminology as one that is very, very relevant today. I think there was a sense of satisfaction at the level of cooperation during the COVID pandemic. India had been quite quick in providing both medicines and vaccinations to Bangladesh. We have supplied some 2 crore 18 lakh doses of vaccine so far. At the same time, when you had the recent wave of the pandemic, we had arranged for oxygen express trains to come and provide liquid medical oxygen.

We also acknowledged with thanks, the systems extended by Bangladesh to India, when we had a devastating second wave in the form of medicines and other relief items and that support was greatly welcomed. So, we are two countries that mutually reinforce each other, we are there for each otherand that message I think was there. I think there was also a sense that we have resolved very difficult issues as I said earlier, in the most amicable manner, very few countries are able to do this. These are issues in which countries normally have strong differences, but we have been able to resolve both our land and maritime boundaries and other issues in a very convenient manner. There was also reference to the Prime Minister's visit in March and the follow up action that has taken place. There was an acknowledgement that despite the COVID pandemic, our cooperation is continued, trade has continued. We've continued to interact with each other, even if it is not in person, there's been virtual conversations, there was a joint cosultative commission meeting. Of course, fact is that both our countries have emphasised a great deal on how we can continue to use this spirit of cooperation to enhance our bilateral partnership over the next years to come. So, from that perspective, I think it is quite significant.

There was a question on the economic partnership and what I think it represents today, this was Mr. Rehman Ji, you had asked that question. There has been a steady increase in the bilateral trade between our two countries. Even last year, we saw a year on year increase of what 14% which is significant. If you see the trade with most countries have actually seen a huge deficit, a 14% increase is a very encouraging figure to attain. Bangladesh’s exports to India crossed the billion-dollar mark and it continues to increase on a very steady basis. Readymade garments and found a market in India. And I would say that, what you exported to India in readymade garments in the last three quarters is more than what has been done in all the previous years put together. So, there is obviously a quite a spike in the exports and Bangladesh is being able to tap in the Indian market. So, essentially, we are also talking on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. We felicitated Bangladesh on its graduation, to a middle income country. But as you graduate there, the existing protocol, the existing framework under which we extend duty free access to Bangladeshi products would no longer be in place, because this has been extended through the SAFTA regime under SAARC and once you become a middle income country, then we cannot extend under that framework. So, we've asked for an alternative framework we put in place in the form of the CEPA. And I think it is important that we conclude that at the earliest possible so that when you graduate, you know, we can continue this let's say preferential access into each other's markets.

And we have of course made very good progress on lines of credit. As you know, Bangladesh accounts for almost a third of our lines of credit. $10 billion is what India has extended to Bangladesh in highly concessional credit terms. These lines of credit have actually contributed to enhancing our connectivity, enhancing infrastructure, not just in the border, but different parts of Bangladesh. And we are very satisfied with the progress of these lines of credit. We are going to work on further streamlining this, looking at another package which our High Commissioner is working on. And we will be looking at how to take that forward. But in the last year despite COVID we have disbursed over $120 billion in LOC money. So I think we are not doing too badly and the economic area has seen good progress in that regard.

Yeah, well, as far Quad is concerned, you know, the name itself suggests that there are four countries. And at this point of time, obviously, there is no talk of anything. Essentially the Quad is just four countries that have come to work with other countries in the Indo Pacific in a positive, constructive, cooperative manner. If you see all the activities of quad, whether it is on vaccine, whether it's on climate change, whether it's on new technologies, whether it's HADR, the idea is to work with countries in the Indo Pacific region, to provide them with the means to attain our common vision of a free, open, transparent, inclusive Indo Pacific region. That's what it is. And in that context, I think, you know, obviously, the idea is that we work with countries. And about joining it of course, that is a sovereign decision that Bangladesh itself will make, I cannot comment on that. But the nature of Quad itself is such that we want to work with other countries in partnership. And in that partnership, I think Bangladesh is an important partner.

Mishu: My name is Mishu, I'm working for Jamuna TV. My question is about is there any discussion regarding minority people’s situation here in Bangladesh with the meeting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Mr. Abdul Hamid. As well as you said earlier some days ago that you want to make the border safest. So, any discussion regarding these issues with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or President Abdul Hamid? And last one is Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan and that's why we need the NOC from India to use your land border, is there any possibility to sign a tripartite agreement? Thank you.

Afiza: Good evening. I’m Afiza from Independent Television. I have two different questions. One is do you have any further decision taken on arrival visa for Bangladeshi people in India, because other SAARC countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka issue on arrival visa for Bangladesh, so why not India? And the other topic is- recently USA sanctioned Seven RAB Officers. Do you have any remark on that?

Mishu: Excellency, thank you very much for the opportunity. My name is Mishu, I work for Rashtriya Patrika. Good to see you once again Excellency. Excellency, I believe you have observed recently Bangladesh is buying so many sophisticated weapon from around the world. So my question is, do you have anything to offer to Bangladesh in this regard? Thank you.

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary: So, the discussions encompass all issues of importance to both countries. I cannot go into the details of discussions because there is a certain level of confidentiality. But obviously, those discussions did include issues that are important to both countries, and it included questions that are topical for both countries also. And needless to say, I think we are on the same page on most of these issues. We do appreciate that certain issues are internal matters for Bangladesh. But they are important for both countries. The handling of these issues has been in many senses very satisfactory. And we do believe that whatever actions are being taken are those in the best interests of Bangladesh and in the best interest of both our countries. Now, as far as border issues are concerned, we did discuss briefly. The idea is that many of these issues that involve the border would be discussed at a higher level. We would try and work out how to resolve them. We also know that DG BSF is coming at here the invitation of his counterpart for the raising day of the BGB, I believe it's on the 19th of this month, and they will have an opportunity to discuss between themselves what are the best measures they can take to address some of the issues that are there on the table. We have the comprehensive border management plan, effective management of the border is very, very critical. And this is something that both sides will be working on.

I do agree that the issue of hydropower you know, important to Bangladesh is something that has been raised before, we are fully with you on that issue, we have just issued a cross border power trade policy and this policy essentially allows India to be used as a transit point for the exchange of power between our neighbours and there are no regulatory issues regarding the export of power from Nepal or Bhutan through India into Bangladesh. I think what is lacking is the border transmission infrastructure that of course, we are all working on. We also have a project to connect a 760 kV line from northeastern India, through Bangladesh, which will provide the scope for hydroelectric power also to come into Bangladesh. This was also discussed when we had our recent meetings. And I think the potential is huge. And in the spirit that we have enhanced connectivity, we have allowed certain amount of transit to the Mongla & Chittagong ports, I think, both benefited from this in the same spirit. I think power is an area that we can both benefit from and we are definitely for it.

There was a question I think, by Afiza on arrival visas. My question to you is that, is there anything in the current let's say visa process that the High Commission is doing that is not of satisfaction to you? I think we had addressed these issues, there is no pendency, you can come in, you can apply for a visa and get a visa almost immediately. Obviously, you know, COVID has been a bit of a dampener because of the restrictions and travel restrictions in place in both our countries. But, as we normalise, I think we will go back to a more and more normal travel regime, we will make it as simple as possible. And I can assure you that whatever system that we put in place, High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami will do that. We will leave it in his capable hands.

And of course, the defence issue that has been raised. I think the issue of imports of defence related items by Bangladesh, you are aware that we have signed, we have extended the line of credit for defence items for $500 million. I'm told that under this line of credit, several items have been identified and being fast tracked. They're in fairly advanced stages of being processed and I think we will see certain defence items exports from India coming to Bangladesh and this is something that we would like to see. Essentially the entire gamut of cooperation, whether it is training, exchanges, joint manufacturing in the defence sector, this is something that we'd like to see enhanced.

As I said, I mean, we deal with each other on a bilateral basis,we are close friends, we are neighbours,we cooperate in a wide range of areas. I hesitate to speak about what third countries are doing.We don't look at our relationship in the prism of third countries. And so, I would prefer not to comment on anything that involves any third countries at this point.

Speaker: Any discussion on invitation on behalf of Indian side about your Prajatantra Divas for our Prime Minister on 24 January?

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary: You have to have the last word and we are happy that you do have the last word. As you know, when our prime minister visited Bangladesh he extended an invitation to the Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit India. We will work out the dates of this visit at mutual convenience through diplomatic channels and we are looking forward to the visit of the Honourable Prime Minister at a convenient time to both sides. Thank you.

Shri Vikram K Doraiswami, High Commissioner: Thank you very much everybody and thank you for your patience in staying so late tonight and Shubhratri.

Write a Comment Write a Comment
Comments

Post A Comment

  • Name *
    E-mail *
  • Write Your Comment *
  • Verification Code * Verification Code