Teesta cloud has trade silver lining

As many as 10 agreements and MoUs were signed.

The collapse of the river-water sharing agreements may have cast its cloud over Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs talks with Sheikh Hasina but there were many silver linings. As many as 10 agreements and MoUs were signed here this evening,several with the potential of significant economic impact.

India granted duty-free access for 61 items from Bangladesh to Indian markets as requested by Bangladesh. These were on the sensitive list of India. India also decided to give overland transit traffic between Bangladesh and Nepal. It will help Bangladeshs connectivity to Nepal through Indian territory.

In the official communiqué issued by both Prime Ministers,the leaders underlined that the meeting was a historic one. Sheikh Hasina pointed how her government has been working on a new matrix charting a path for common prosperity.

Singh said that India attached the topmost priority to its relations with Bangladesh. There is a national consensus in India that India must develop the best possible relations with Bangladesh.

Both the Prime Ministers stressed the importance of an all-encompassing Framework Agreement on Cooperation stated to be a visionary document that looks not only the realities of today,but also the potentials of tomorrow.

Indian officials admitted to setback on the issue of transit facilities but these have been put into the Framework for Cooperation treaty and would be taken up for resolution in the days ahead.

Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai said late tonight that the participation of four chief ministers of the North East states reflected Indias desire for intensifying the cooperation between the two countries. Besides,major power projects are coming up with Indian assistance. Almost 750-million worth of projects and schemes under the 1-billion Line of Credit provided by India to Bangladesh has already been identified and it would cover outstanding issues like border roads infrastructure,and rail,road,port connectivity.

The delhi-dhaka deal

Protocol on Land Boundary Agreement signed

MoUs on:

Renewable energy cooperation

Overland transit from Bangladesh to Nepal

Conservation of Sunderbans

Conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers

Cooperation in Fisheries

Greater cooperation between Bangladesh Television and Doordarshan

Cooperation between Dhaka University and JNU,Delhi.

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Between National Institute of Fashion Technology and Bangladesh Institute of Fashion Technology