DHAKA: India on Monday handed over 10 broad-gauge diesel locomotives to Bangladesh, strengthening the neighbouring country's railway infrastructure.
The locomoives were virtually flagged off to Bangladesh by the External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal on Monday (July 26).
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen thanked India for offering Bangladesh 10 broad gauge diesel locomotives as a mark of enduring friendship.
This is in line with the commitment by New Delhi during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India last October and renewed focus on ”neighbourhood first” policy of Modi.
"This would help bring our two peoples even closer," the Foreign Minister said at the handing over ceremony of 10 broad gauge locomotives provided by India.
Indian Minister for External Affairs, Minister for Railways of India, Railways Minister of Bangladesh, Secretary, Ministry of Railways of Bangladesh, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das also joined.
Dr Momen said, "Over the last few years, India and Bangladesh have scripted a golden chapter in partnership under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi."
"We are indeed enjoying the best of relations," Dr Momen said mentioning that this week, for the first time, 50 containers loaded with FMCG cargoes and fabrics arrived in Bangladesh from India through Benapole-Petrapole rail link.
Last week, the first transshipment of goods (iron and pulses) from Kolkata to India’s North-East took place though Bangladesh’s Chattogram port.
Dr Momen said India-Bangladesh relationship is rock solid and is based on shared values, principles and confidence; touching almost every sphere of our lives, including politics, culture, trade, investment, water, energy, power, transportation, logistics, security and much more.
"I am sure we would be able to further lift our relations to new heights in the coming days," the minister added.
BDST: 1745 HRS, JUL 27, 2020
SMS
