Delhi
Dhaka, Delhi to work together for better future: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that Bangladesh and India would continue to work together to realize the collective aspirations of their citizens.
"I am confident (about that)," she said, expressing her thanks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government for evacuating some Bangladeshi nationals, along with the Indians, who were stranded in Sumy Oblast of war-torn Ukraine.
The wholehearted cooperation that the Indian government has been extending in this regard is a "testament to the unique and enduring relationship" that the two countries have been enjoying over the years, she said in a recent letter to Modi.
Read: Greek PM phones Hasina, praises her leadership for impressive development
"I gratefully recall your visit to Bangladesh during the celebration of the Birth Centenary of our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, last year," Hasina mentioned in the March 15 letter.
Hasina wished Modi good health and a very Happy Holi.
7 dead in India slum fire
A major fire swept through a slum in the Indian capital in the small hours of Saturday, claiming seven lives and destroying 60 thatched huts thus rendering hundreds homeless.
The fire broke out at the slumtown in Delhi's Gokalpuri area around 12.45am when most of the residents were fast asleep, police and fire service officials said.
READ: 12 buses set on fire in Faridpur
Smoke engulfed the area as the fire quickly spread and small cooking gas cylinders kept in the huts exploded. Within an hour, half of the slumtown was reduced to charred debris.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police (northeast) Devesh Kumar Mahla told the local media that the cops were alerted about the blaze around 1am.
"Immediately teams reached the spot with all rescue equipment. We also contacted the fire department that responded very well," he said.
As many as 13 fire tenders were pressed into service within minutes but it took them three hours to contain the blaze. "We could douse the fire by 4am," he said.
Fire officials said they found seven charred bodies at the site. "As many as 60 huts were completely gutted in the fire. A probe has been ordered into the fire," an official said.
Local TV channels beamed footage of the slum dwellers searching through the ashes for their belongings.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to express grief over the deaths. "Heard the sad news early in the morning. I will go to the spot and meet the affected people personally," he tweeted.
READ: Fire in Ukhiya Rohingya camp again; shanties, learning centre gutted
Fires in India's slum areas are common because of lax enforcement of inferno safety regulations.
Dhaka, Delhi will soon be connected through 6 rail links: Shringla
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has said Bangladesh and India will soon be connected through six rail links and India and Nepal by two rail links.
"Railways between countries are causing a rapid shrinking of South Asia's geography," he said, focusing on two sectors – connectivity and energy sector – where they have shown some "striking results."
An India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline is also under construction and an LNG cross border pipeline and LNG terminal are being explored, said the foreign secretary.
Read: India to remain resolute in dealing with security challenges in region: Shringla
He said India's energy grids are increasingly being integrated with those of its neighbours.
Shringla made the remarks at the inaugural session of the training module on "India's Neighbourhood" at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration Wednesday.
The foreign secretary said the only country that his country's president, prime minister and external affairs minister have all visited since the pandemic struck has been Bangladesh, "cementing the very special" bilateral ties.
"They did so to cement a very special relationship on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh and the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations," he said, adding that countries in their neighbourhood are of special significance to them.
Shringla said policy initiatives taken by India and its neighbours have implications for each other, and ties with the neighbouring countries have direct relevance to their states bordering these countries.
He said India also realises its prosperity and growth are linked to that of its neighbours. "We cannot develop unless our neighbours develop."
Shringla said connectivity within parts of their neighbourhood by road, by water, by rail and by air, and often by multimodal transport, has steadily improved.
It is now possible to travel from Kolkata to Agartala by bus via Dhaka while goods can now reach Tripura using multi-modal networks through Chattogram and inland water routes, he said. "Improved connectivity means greater people-to-people contact and greater goodwill."
Read:Bangladesh-India border: Shringla says small issues can be resolved through BGB-BSF talks
Also, Shringla said the Indian grid is connected to Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh through high-capacity connections, and transnational movement of electricity in the neighbourhood is a reality.
India supplies about 1160 MW of power to Bangladesh, about 700 MW to Nepal, and imports 1.8 GW from Bhutan.
It has also taken the lead in creating power capacity in the region and has created 2100 MW of hydropower capacity in Bhutan. "More is being created," Shringla said.
India is also constructing the 1320 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project in Bangladesh.
Dhaka seeks Delhi's cooperation to resolve pending issues
Bangladesh has sought India’s cooperation in resolving the outstanding issues, especially early completion of water sharing agreement of the common rivers including Teesta.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen raised this during his meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla in New Delhi on Thursday.
Masud enumerated that India is the closest and most important neighbour of Bangladesh and assured his Indian counterpart that the government of Bangladesh is committed to sustaining the momentum of having a friendly relation with India which is based on mutual trust and respect.
He urged his Indian counterpart to extend necessary support to facilitate the early, safe, secure and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
Foreign secretary Shringla thanked his counterpart Masud for visiting him in New Delhi and emphasized on the regular interactions at the Foreign Secretary level.
He reiterated India’s commitment in working together to support each other in various platforms including the United Nations.
Read: Govt appoints GR firm “Nelson Mullins” to "deepen" Dhaka-Washington ties
Shringla noted that Bangladesh Mission in Chennai would further facilitate the relations between the two countries especially with the southern states of India.
He also emphasized on the joint celebration of events of bilateral significance as the celebrations of Moitri Dibosh (Friendship Day) in select cities across the globe could successfully project the historic relations between the two countries.
Shringla reiterated the commitment of the Government of India in fast tracking of various projects undertaken under the Indian Line of Credit in Bangladesh.
Foreign Secretary Masud requested the Indian Foreign Secretary to extend his support in completing Shadhinota Sharak and hand over the historic building at 8 Theatre Road, which served as the headquarters of the first Bangladesh Government in 1971, as Bangladesh is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of her independence.
Both the foreign secretaries emphasized on going back to normalcy as COVID situation improved satisfactorily.
Will take ties with Dhaka to even higher level: Jaishankar
Bangladesh and India have committed to taking the bilateral relations between the two countries to a higher level this year, mentioning that the year 2021 was a great year.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen had a meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in Paris on Monday and discussed issues of bilateral interest.
They particularly talked about the preparations for the next Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting.
Jaishankar invited his Bangladesh counterpart to co-chair the next round of the JCC meeting during the first half of the year, according to the foreign ministry.
The two ministers also stressed the need for concluding meetings of the relevant Joint Working Groups prior to the JCC meeting.
The sixth meeting of the JCC between the two countries was held on September 29, 2020. Although Dhaka was scheduled to host the meeting, due to the COVID-19 situation the meeting was held on a virtual platform.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi eye greater engagements ahead of Hasina’s possible visit
"Noted that 2021 was a great year for the relationship. Committed to taking it to an even higher level in 2022," Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting.
He described the meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Momen "good" and expressed happiness to hold the meeting amid International Mother Language Day.
Momen reiterated the importance of resolving the Teesta water sharing issue while his Indian counterpart reaffirmed his government’s principled position on the matter.
The two ministers also agreed to facilitate the ongoing discussions around the Kushiara river.
Momen urged India to remain engaged with the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, including in the latter’s capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The ministers also recalled the successful events held in 18 cities around the world to observe the "Maitri Dibosh" or Friendship Day on December 6 last year.
Momen is now visiting Paris to attend the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, scheduled to be held today (Tuesday).
Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi as well as the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans are scheduled to attend the Ministerial Forum.
The Forum is seen as an opportunity to showcase the European Union strategy for the region and develop tangible projects in this regard.
It will bring together Foreign Ministers of EU Member States and some 30 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, representatives of European institutions and representatives of the main regional organisations.
Also read: Shahriar meets Lekhi in Delhi
Ministerial Forum’s objective
The Indo-Pacific region is of increasing strategic importance to the European Union and its Member States.
Its economic weight (it will soon account for 60% of global wealth) and demographic significance (three fifths of the world’s population), its increasing presence in current affairs and future geopolitical balances make it an essential space for Europeans.
There are considerable economic exchanges between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, which contribute to the prosperity of the European Union.
Through its Member States’ outermost regions in the Indian Ocean and overseas territories in the Pacific, the European Union is also part of this region, with which it has a closely-shared destiny.
Translating Europe’s desire for increased commitment to the region into action is one of the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
This priority is in line with the publication of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which was endorsed by the European Council in October 2021.
This strategy includes seven priority areas for action, on which the French Presidency wanted to initiate dialogue with Indo-Pacific partners: Sustainable and inclusive prosperity; Green transition; Ocean governance; Digital governance and partnerships; Connectivity; Security and defence and Human security.
In this regard, the Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific will be an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the links between EU countries and those of the Indo-Pacific.
Pandit Birju Maharaj, legendary Kathak dancer, dies at 83
Kathak legend Pandit Birju Maharaj died at his home in Delhi late Sunday after suffering a heart attack. He was 83, reports NDTV.
A recipient of the country's second-highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, he was fondly called Pandit-ji or Maharaj-ji by his disciples and legions of followers, and was one of India's best known artistes.
According to reports, Birju Maharaj was playing with his grandsons late on Sunday night when his health deteriorated and he became unconscious. He was taken to hospital where he was declared dead.
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"He was with us when this happened. He had his dinner and we were playing 'antakshari' because he loved old music. He was lying down... and suddenly his breathing became uneven. We think it was cardiac arrest as he was also a heart patient.
"This happened between 12.15 and 12.30 am. It must have been just a minute or so. We rushed to the hospital but unfortunately, we could not save him. He died before reaching the hospital," Birju Maharaj's granddaughter Ragini, a Kathak dancer herself, was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
"Two of his disciples and his two granddaughters, my younger sister Yasyashashwini and me, were with him when this happened. He was laughing and smiling in his last moments," she said.
The Kathak exponent had been suffering from a kidney ailment and was under dialysis treatment.
Birju Maharaj was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj.
The Kathak legend was also a superb drummer, playing nearly all drums with ease and precision; he was especially fond of playing the Tabla and Naal, according to his official website.
Birju Maharaj was also a singer par excellence, having command over Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan and Ghazal.
A master storyteller, he interlaced his performances with incidents from his life, narrated to captivate the audience. Also being keenly observant, he always had something to say about day-to-day incidents, keeping people around him entertained with realistic imitations and vivid descriptions.
Condolences poured in as news of the death of the Kathak maestro, who would have been 84 on February 4, came in.
The death of Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era, President Ram Nath Kovind said, as he offered condolences to his family and admirers.
"The demise of legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj marks the end of an era. It leaves a deep void in the Indian music and cultural space. He became an icon, making unparalleled contribution to popularise Kathak globally. Condolences to his family and admirers," President Kovind tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his death is an "irreparable loss" to the entire art world.
Read: India extends ban on political rallies till Jan 22
"Deeply saddened by the demise of Pandit Birju Maharaj ji, who gave Indian dance a special recognition world over. His passing is an irreparable loss to the entire art world. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of grief," the prime minister said.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the artiste as a "legend of performing arts".
"Extremely saddened by the news about the passing away of Legendary Kathak Dancer- Pandit Birju Maharaj ji. We have lost an unparalleled institution in the field of the performing arts. He has influenced many generations through his genius. May he rest in peace," singer Adnan Sami tweeted.
"India has lost a jewel," tweeted filmmaker Ashoke Pandit.
Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day observed in Delhi
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Monday paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the great leader’s historic return to independent Bangladesh from Pakistan jail.
The defeated Pakistani rulers were compelled to free Bangabandhu in the early hours of 8 January 1972. He landed in London in the morning on the same day.
There he immediately agreed to accept Bangladesh's membership to the Commonwealth at the proposal of its Secretary-General. The Father of the Nation touched the ground of his beloved motherland at noon on 10 January 1972 with a short stopover in Delhi in the morning.
Officials and staff of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi started the programme by laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
READ: Bangabandhu remembered on Homecoming Day
Embassy officials led by High Commissioner Muhammad Imran paid homage to Bangabandhu placing wreaths at the Chancery premises.
Later a discussion meeting was organized at Bangabandhu auditorium of the High Commission.
Dhaka, Delhi eye unique relationship resolving pending issues
Bangladesh and India on Tuesday emphasized expediting efforts to resolve pending issues as the two countries look forward to a “very high-level relationship” finding new areas of cooperation.
Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla met Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after holding a detailed discussion with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen at Foreign Service Academy.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Dr Momen said the two countries agreed to work for the welfare of the people in the two countries.
Read: Dhaka, Delhi created model relations, says FM terming Dec 6 a historic day
He said the Indian side talked about the border issue and assured Bangladesh of keeping more careful watch to avert any problem along the Bangladesh-India border.
The Foreign Minister recalled the respect shown by the Indian side to Bangladesh throughout this historic year.
Dhaka, Delhi created model relations, says FM terming Dec 6 a historic day
Terming December 6 a historic day, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh and India have created a model of relationship by resolving major issues peacefully.
“It’s historic day and truly Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day). We’ve (Bangladesh-India) created model relations (for other countries),” he said at a discussion organized by Sector Commanders Forum (SCF) at the Jatiya Press Club.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar spoke as special guest. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, Bhutan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Rinchen Kuentsyl, former diplomat Mohiuddin Ahmed and SCF Secretary General Haroon Habib, among others, spoke at the discussion held with SCF chief M Nurul Alam in the chair.
The Foreign Minister profoundly recalled the wholehearted support extended by the people of India and the Indian government during the 1971 Liberation War.
Dr Momen said he is eagerly waiting for the day when no visa will be required for Bangladeshis and Indians to travel to each other's countries. "Our relationship is written in blood and we want to deepen it," he said.
Read:Let’s dream of a better world, FM Momen tells peace conference
He recalled with utmost respect the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on this historic day.
Dr Momen also remembered the brave freedom fighters of Bangladesh and the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh's Independence in 1971.
Bangladesh and India are celebrating the Maitri Diwas, the historic day when India, as the second country, recognized Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state in 1971 after Bhutan.
The day has been designated by the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India as Bangladesh-India Friendship Day in March 2021.
Speaking as the chief guest at the discussion, Dr Momen said it was not the India-Pakistan war that Pakistan tried to interpret.
December 6: "Maitri Diwas" to reflect deep, abiding friendship between Dhaka, Delhi
Bangladesh and India will commemorate 6th December as "Maitri Diwas" or Friendship Day demonstrating that the emotional bonds stemming from the invaluable contribution of the government and the people of India in the Liberation War of Bangladesh remain a "dominant factor" in formulating Bangladesh-India relations.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said Bangladesh and India are celebrating together the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bangladesh-India relations (‘Maitree Diwas’) on December 6 at 18 selected cities across the globe along with Dhaka and New Delhi.
He recalled with utmost respect the brave freedom fighters of Bangladesh and the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh's Independence in 1971.
Read:Border killing a tragedy; it must stop: Doraiswami
"The blood of over 18 thousand Indians, mingled with the millions of our own people, culminated in Bangladesh’s independence, and laid the basis of our special friendship," Shahriar said.
Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson at the Indian Minister of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) will organise a special event on December 6 in New Delhi.
The event will see participation from both countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will send a video message for the event to be held in New Delhi, an official told UNB.
There will be celebrations in Dhaka too on the occasion.
"I want to emphasise that the holding of the Maitri Diwas is a reflection of the deep and abiding friendship between the people of India and the people of Bangladesh, that has been forged in blood and shared sacrifices," said Arindam Bagchi.
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March this year, it was decided to commemorate 6th December as "Maitri Diwas."
Just 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, India had recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.
India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with Bangladesh.
Maitri Diwas has been commemorated in 18 countries around the world apart from Dhaka and New Delhi.
Other countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
Despite challenges in place including unresolved Teesta water sharing issue, Bangladesh and India have made some great achievements, including implementation of the Ganges Treaty, Land Boundary Agreement and addressed the cross-boundary terrorism, foreign affairs analysts say.
Read:Dhaka-Delhi ties “crucial for greater regional stability”
The two close neighbours also progressed much in terms of enhanced connectivity and trade though logistics remains a challenge.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya in a recent discussion said, "Your agenda and my agenda are equally important. If you think my agenda is more important than the other, then you are not having the equal treatment within a sovereign territory. I hope the leadership (of both the countries) will give content to these concepts.”
Shahriar said last 50 years are testimony, with ample evidence, how crucial Bangladesh-India relations are not only for bilateral partnership and peace, but also for greater regional stability and the development of the subcontinent.
"It’s my firm conviction that, last 50 years will guide us to navigate the course of next 50 years in the evolving scenario of the regional and global context, where the friendship and partnership would be deeper and more consolidated," he said.