Diplomacy

$2 billion boost for India-Bangladesh ties

- by India Writes Network

DHAKA: Taking developmental cooperation with Bangladesh to new heights and projecting New Delhi as a partner in the success of Dhaka, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a new line of credit of $2 billion for Bangladesh, the largest single LOC for any country committed by India.

The $2 billion LOC has raised the bar for India’s engagement with Bangladesh and is set to bring the two neighbours in a web of trade, connectivity and shared prosperity. The previous Manmohan Singh government had announced $1 billion Line of Credit during Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi in 2010.

“Our development partnership is scaling new heights. The quick implementation of the line of credit of $800 million and full disbursement of $200 million in grant is a tribute to our cooperation,” said Mr Modi at a joint media interaction with Sheikh Hasina.

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Netherlands upbeat on Make in India, to help Clean Ganga mission

- by India Writes Network

Throwing its weight behind the “Make in India” campaign, the Netherlands has forged a multi-faceted development partnership with India and pledged support for the Clean Ganga mission.

The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is on a two-day visit to India, met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi on June 5, and held wide-ranging discussion on an array of bilateral and global issues.

The meeting followed a luncheon discussion hosted by Mr Modi with 35 CEOs of leading industries of both countries. The European country’s enthusiasm for Make in India was evident in the agreement signed between Cochin Shipyards Limited (CSL) of India and Dutch Shipbuilder Royal IHC to build dredges in India, which included transfer of technology from IHC to CSL.

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Modi’s Dhaka visit raises new hopes

- by India Writes Network

Peace and stability in Bangladesh is vital for India to improve connectivity with the North Eastern states and with East Asia, as envisaged in the Act East Policy. Mr Modi’s two day visit to the Bangladeshi capital, which begins on 6th June, is important for the multifarious issues which shall be on the table with our largest trading partner in South Asia.
Economic cooperation can be a win-win situation, and Bangladesh has offered space for Indian industries in its Special Economic Zone. New Delhi has offered financial assistance in tune of $200 million grant for development projects. Bangladesh has allowed India to use its territory and infrastructure to ferry 10,000 tonne foodgrains to Tripura. Bangladesh which proposes to build a deep sea port can be a partner with India in ship building.
Bangladesh is the first Muslim majority country that PM Modi has is visiting, before he embarks on his tour to West Asian and Central Asian countries in the coming months. If he wins the hearts of Bangladeshis, it will strengthen not only his neighbourhood first policy, but also his agenda for sub-regional cooperation within SAARC (mandated under the SAARC Charter) and revitalise his Act East Policy. Keeping in view the difficulties in taking the SAARC agenda forward owing to issues with Pakistan, India can catalyze cooperation within SAARC by taking Bangladesh into confidence.

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India, US sign new defence framework pact, focus on co-development

- by India Writes Network

In a major thrust to the India-US Strategic Partnership, the two nations signed a new 10-year defense framework agreement during an official visit of the US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter to India. The agreement builds upon the previous framework and shall guide the bilateral defense and strategic partnership for the next ten years.

The groundwork for this was done during the successful January visit of President Barack Obama to India. The agreements were signed during the meeting of Mr Carter and India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar on June 3rd in New Delhi.
During Mr Carter’s visit, apart from inking the framework agreement, the two sides have agreed to expedite discussions to take forward cooperation on jet engines, aircraft carrier design and construction, and other areas. Continued bilateral cooperation in the areas of mutual interest, including maritime security and joint training in defense, was also agreed to.

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