Manmohan Singh meets Sheikh Hasina in New York

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina on sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) here today.

The two leaders had a one-to-one interaction during which they discussed issues of mutual importance to the two neighbouring nations.

India and Bangladesh share a unique bond and a special relationship rooted in a common cultural heritage, shared principles and values and forged by common aspirations and sacrifices of its peoples. India is committed to carry forward the mission of strengthening the historic bonds and impart a vision for the future that is durable and sustainable and conducive for the collective prosperity of the region.

Bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh received a major boost through the landmark state visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in January 2010 that laid the road-map for our interactions. The visit of Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to Bangladesh in September 2011 opened a new chapter in the bilateral relationship and further cemented the active cooperation and engagement between the two nations.

Last year, India opened its market to all Bangladeshi products, except 25 sensitive tariff lines. Bangladeshi goods now enjoy zero duty access to the Indian market. This is an initiative of strategic significance and has the potential of changing the economic landscape in Bangladesh.

The Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed by the two countries in September 2011 represents a new phase in the bilateral relations.

India has committed itself to discussing sub-regional cooperation with Bangladesh in areas such as the power sector, water resources management, physical connectivity, environment and sustainable development.