PM Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi want frequent interactions among SAARC leaders

They came with the observation at a delegation level unscheduled meeting between the two leaders at Hotel Waldrof Astoria here. Both the leaders, now in New York to attend the seventieth session of the UN General Assembly, are staying in the hotel.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said both the leaders discussed various issues of regional aspects and mutual interests including present status of the execution of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and Teesta water sharing agreement in the meeting lasted for about half an hour.

The press secretary said Narendra Modi expressed his firm hope that the Teesta River water sharing agreement would be signed. However, he didn't mention any timeframe.

The Indian Prime Minister was inquisitive about two major projects of Bangladesh -- one is Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and the other is Bangabandhu Satellite project. He appreciated the capacity of the Bangladesh team working in the Rooppur Power Plant project with Russia and offered giving them more training on technical and commercial aspects.

He also mentioned his country's expertise in satellite launching and offered extending necessary support to Bangladesh in this particular area.

Narendra Modi had no hesitation in appreciating the efforts of the bureaucrats of Bangladesh for their coordinated and sincere endeavours to execute the LBA and expressed his contentment over the process of execution of the agreement.

The LBA is a model of peaceful settlement of disputes with neighbours through negotiations, he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said there might have problems among neighbours. However, all disputes could be resolved through negotiations. She said the road connectivity among the four nations in this region would bring immense benefit to the people.

As Narendra Modi hailed Sheikh Hasina's leadership in Bangladesh's success in socioeconomic development, Sheikh Hasina underlined Bangladesh's successful accomplishments in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in a number of areas.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's Advisor on ICT Affairs Sajeeb Wajed Joy, PM's Advisors Dr Moshiur Rahman and Dr Gowher Rizvi and Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haq were present. On the Indian side, Foreign Secretary Jai Sankar attended the meeting, among others.