India salutes the "considerable" economic successes of Bangladesh,  especially "its most recent success" in transitioning from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) status, India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said. 

According to the United Nations, only six countries have made this transition in the last 50 years. Bangladesh is amongst the handful of other countries that will cross this milestone in the immediate future, India's seniormost diplomatic official pointed out in an address Monday at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) to celebrate 50 years of India-Bangladesh relations that was celebrated as "Friendship Day" by both countries. 

“We have, as we did in their war of liberation, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Bangladesh in this battle for better lives and prosperity for our peoples.... We are and will remain fellow travelers on this road. India will make not just its goodwill, but its resources, and its capabilities, available to further the common good of our two nations,.” Shringla, who Tuesday arrived in Dhaka on a two-day visit to prepare for the visit of President Ram Nath Kovid, said. 

Shringla said India and Bangladesh today share a relationship that is stronger, more diversified and mature, but not without challenges. “These have been tackled, and continue to be tackled, in the framework of mutual trust and cooperation, transcending a conventional strategic partnership, between our countries,” he remarked.

Shringla said India deeply appreciates Bangladesh’s decision to erect a memorial to honor the 1660 and more Indian soldiers who laid down their lives fighting for the cause of Bangladesh.

He said with the signing and ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement in 2015 and the demarcation of the maritime boundary, both nations have unlocked the potential for expanding cooperation in joint management of the border and Blue Economy.

“This is also the spirit that underlies the transformational growth of connectivity between the two countries. Five of the six railway linkages between the two countries, that existed prior to 1965, have been revived. The sixth will soon be revived. An additional railway line is being built to link Akhaura with Agartala.

“India and Bangladesh share the Bay of Bengal and 54 rivers. These are being exploited to create low-carbon footprint connectivity through waterways and coastal shipping. Cargo, for example, can now move to Agartala from Kolkata via Chattogram.

“India and Bangladesh are linked through power grids. A common energy market is emerging. Over 1100 MW of power now moves across the border. India and Bangladesh are cooperating in power generation, including, but not exclusively, through the flagship 1320 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project,” he said.

He said the two countries will soon be linked through hydrocarbon pipelines.

Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia. India is the second-largest trade partner of Bangladesh. Despite the pandemic, bilateral trade grew at an unprecedented rate of 14% from USD 9.46 billion in FY 2019-20 to USD 10.78 billion in FY 2020-21. Bangladesh’s exports to India have now crossed the US$ 1 billion mark.

On the ticklish border issue, and the frequent border killings, he said “India will continue to work with Bangladesh on a peaceful and stable border through better border management and security cooperation. Improved border infrastructure is helping border guarding forces keep the border safe including through joint patrolling and real time exchange of information.”

India will endeavor to remain a trusted development partner for Bangladesh, he said. It is the largest single destination for Indian development partnership resources. More than a third of India’s total soft loans, through concessional lines of credit, are deployed with Bangladesh. Credits worth more than US$ 10 billion on the ‘softest’ terms have been extended. This is indicative of our priorities.

Shringla lauded Bangladesh's humanitarian gesture in hosting over a million displaced persons from across the border (of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar). India joins the international community in appreciating this powerful statement, he said. 

“Both countries share a strong commitment to counter destabilizing forces that aid and abet terrorism and radicalization. Strengthening cooperation in tackling new and emerging challenges, such as misinformation and disinformation through the internet, is of the highest importance. Effective cooperation between both countries will go a long way in preserving social harmony,” he remarked, in an apparent reference to the October sectarian violence in Bangladesh (SAM).