Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his concluding speech at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre mentioned, “We (Bangladesh and India) are beside each other, we are together and we will march together in the path of progress”.
He was addressing an elite gathering and was summarizing his 36 hours state visit to Bangladesh, which has opened windows of opportunities of collaboration, connectivity, trade and investment between two friendly nations of South Asia, which shares so many commonalities.
Very eloquently, he mentioned that the relation between India and Bangladesh are established on sharing blood for earning liberation. Nothing can act as barriers in dampening the deep rooted relation based on mutual respect. There were many issues and challenges in bilateral relations. But some ground breaking resolutions have been made and some major progress is also signaled for early resolution of others. Modi termed Bangladesh as a very special next-door neighbor and sincerely acknowledged and appreciated the historic successes of Bangladesh in many areas. He also said two nations have many shared dreams and can only make realizations of many dreams easier if they walk hands in hands. Modi identified exemplary successes of Bangladesh in games and sports mentioning ICC top ranked cricketers Shakib Al Hasan, Salma Khatun and Mount Everest climbing female mountaineers Nishat Majumdar and Wasfia Nazreen. Modi thought Bangladesh is an example of women empowerment, women education, and childcare from which Indian states can learn lessons.
Over the 36 hours brisk visit some agreements were signed, some MOUs were concluded. The 65 points joint communique “New Generation and New Direction” released at the conclusion of visit speaks of a beginning towards a new journey. Geo politics creates continuous issues and challenges but the ice that has melted in the relation between India and Bangladesh has definitely created high hopes and aspirations among the entire South Asian community particularly in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Indian premier Modi visited Natonal Mausoleum in Savar and Bangabandhu Museum. He stood in stunned silence in front of Bangabandhu image. He termed Bangabandhu as the symbol of democracy and as a great leader of the millennium.
He gave audience to leader of the opposition in the parliament, BNP Chairperson, Business Community leaders, visited temple and mission.
Modi deeply appreciated the all-round development efforts initiated by Bangladesh government for achieving 2021 and 2040 vision and pledged all his support for it. Modi also received the award on behalf of Late Atal Behari Vajpayee for his historic role during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. He considered it as an honor for Indian nation by Bangladesh. Modi mentioned that as a rookie he also participated in the Satyagraho, an agitation for the liberation of Bangladesh.
In his concluding speech, he mentioned that during his visit to China he was told about Bangladesh will 160 Million people achieving the second rank in readymade garments export while India failed to do that? Modi said he felt proud for Bangladesh achievement and pledged his support for the continued progress of Bangladesh RMG sector.
Some agreements, protocols and MOUs were signed and initialed during the visit.
Land Border Agreement: The prominent among the agreements was the long expected sharing of border enclaves. People, living in enclaves in India and Bangladesh, now has a country, a flag and a sovereign national unity. Bangabandhu and Indira Gandhi agreed it in 1974 and Bangladesh immediately ratified it. But, it took 41 long years for India to come to a consensus decision of all political divide to ratify and reach the agreement. Most interestingly of all person Modi whose own party BJP was strongly opposing it spearheaded the change. We hope the implementation of the agreement will be smoothly done. Teen Bigha corridor will have smooth links and access.
Connectivity: It does not matter whether it is called transit, transshipment or connectivity Bangladesh and India agreed to let other country use their territory to trade with third country and communicate with parts of one country on the other sides. This will allow the seven-sister Indian states quicker and easier communications among themselves. Bangladesh can trade more smoothly with Nepal and Bhutan. The buses plying on Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala and Kolkata-Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati will make people to people contacts deeper. India using Chittagong and Mongla ports will let Bangladesh optimum utilization of port facilities and earn substantial revenues. It will hugely benefit land locked Nepal and Bhutan using these ports for their international trade. Off course, Bangladesh road and rail infrastructures will require substantial upgrading and improvement to extract maximum benefits out of it. Agartala-Akhaura Railway connectivity is expected to be operational in not too distant future. Khulna-Benapole-Kolkata railway connectivity is being worked on. Bangladesh and India will collaborate further in infrastructure development. All the railway links that used to be there prior to September 1965 Indo Pak war are being revisited. Coastal shipping protocol has been signed liking shipping between Paradeep, Vishakapottam and Haldia with Chittagong and Mongla. Now ships have to route either through Colombo or through Singapore. Shipping time will be reduced to half. 
Indian Soft Term Loans: Indian government announced another US$ 2 Billion soft term loan most of which will be used for infrastructure development projects for facilitating connectivity. Bangladesh has already completed implementation of 7 projects with previous loan and another 8 projects are nearing completion .With the new loan projects like Khulna Mongla railway link project is launched.
Non-Tariff Barriers:
To ease the huge trade deficits India removed tariff barriers but some non-tariff barriers like India not honoring BSTI standardizations and absence of enough wire housing facilities on the Indian side of border check posts caused serious issues. Two countries signing agreements for honoring certificates of each other after some upgrading of BSTI facilities is expected to remove this barrier easing trade deficit a lot.
Combating Human Trafficking, Fake Notes Smuggling: The agreement will deal with humanitarian issues will be beneficial to both countries. These coupled with trading in border markets can effectively check smuggling and border killing can come to zero in due course.
Coastal Guarding and Cooperation in Martime Resource Exploitation: Two countries agreed to work together in cooperating for capacity building of coastal guards and cooperate in maritime resources exploitation. The maritime boundary dispute resolution has been agreed by both nation .In future, there may be situation that some resources are discovered which overlaps the agreed boundaries .These can be developed jointly under Joint Development Agreement (JDA). Two country can share information, cooperate with experts are resources in deep-water exploration for hydrocarbon, maritime fishing and other areas.
Investment:
Bangladesh has agreed to offer specialized economic zone for Indian investors at Bheramara and Mongla. Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have requested Indian Prime Minister for allocation of land inside India for their investment. Investment of Indian Companies in Bangladesh and Bangladeshis companies in India will create deeper people to people relations and ultimately establish co creation of economic development.
Energy Sector Investment:
During the visit two Indian Private sector companies Reliance Group and Adani Group signed MOUs with Bangladesh public sector companies for setting up large LNG and imported coal based power plants in Bangladesh. These proposals will come under detail scrutiny and the locations of the power plants, PPA, power tariff will need to be mutually agreed .BPDB and NTPC are working on Indo Bangla Friendship company for 1320 MW imported coal based power plant at Rampal , Bagerhat. Extreme care is essential for using appropriate technology in power generation and adoption of best methods for environment friendly coal transportation considering the location of the plant in the proximity of eco sensitive World Heritage Bangladesh is already importing 500 MW power from India. Another 600 MW is expected to be coming by 2017.Bangladesh India Bhutan and Nepal are working on jointly developing hydropower potential and sharing in regional grids . Once connectivity is established power sector connectivity will create energy security, create employment, eradicate poverty and pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
Water Sharing:
Sharing of river water is a major issue. Bangladesh being a lower riparian country has greater concern. India’s control water flow of many common rivers has caused immense sufferings for Bangladeshis. This issue is being discussed at bilateral level for several years but other than Ganges water sharing agreement no agreed solution could be reached yet. There was great expectation in Bangladesh that there will be some solution to Teesta River Water Sharing. But despite of sincere efforts of Indian central government this matter remained unresolved for West Bengal Government’s stubborn attitude. However, PM Modi requested Bangladesh to have faith in him. He promised to reach an amicable settlement of the river water sharing taking the state government on board as soon as possible. Till water sharing issue is resolved it will remain a heart sore for Bangladesh for sure.
We hope Indian PM realized that Bangladesh is a special country. It has very talented energetic new generation which can surprise the world like its RMG workers, like its cricketers. India for its vision to develop into an economic super power will need Bangladesh to grow smoothly as well along with it. Bangladesh for its unique geographical location, fertile land, hardworking innovative people will be the development hub in not too distant future .It is our believe that India will not do anything that harms Bangladesh as Bangladesh has already done enough in making India free from fears of terrorism striking Indian main land from eastern side. India must have realized now that relations with neighbors must be based mutual trust and respect about one another sovereign equality. We hope Modi and his entourage including West Bengal Chief Minister could feel the warmth of Bangladeshi hospitality and read the mind of Bangladesh as well.
BDST: 0935/1048 HRS, JUN 7, 2015
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