Bangladesh won't allow insurgency on its soil: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"We want a peaceful atmosphere in this region...we won't allow our territory to be used for insurgency," she said.

The prime minister gave the assurance to the outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pankaj Saran, when the latter paid a farewell call on her at her office on Wednesday morning.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Seeking more cooperation from neighbouring countries for Bangladesh’s development, Sheikh Hasina told the Indian diplomat: "We should work for the people and we need more cooperation and support from our neighbours."

She also laid emphasis on unofficial engagements, along with official visits, for strengthening cooperation between the neighbouring countries.

"Cooperation of neighbours is a must for the development of any country," she said.

Dwelling on the signing of the historic Land Boundary Agreement, Sheikh Hasina said all members of the Indian Parliament--both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha -- were seen "one and united" for the first time during the ratification of the bill.
"It's a historic agreement," she remarked.

Sheikh Hasina recalled with deep gratitude the unequivocal support and assistance rendered by the Indian people and government during Bangladesh's Liberation War.

"India not only extended support to Bangladesh, but also gave shelter and provided food to a large number of people from Bangladesh.’’

Extending her sincere thanks to the Indian envoy for completing his tenure in Bangladesh successfully, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that bilateral relations between the two countries had reached new heights during his tenure in Dhaka.

In this connection, the prime minister appreciated the Indian high commissioner for his “enormous contribution and instrumental role” in further consolidating the ties between Dhaka and New Delhi.

Sheikh Hasina said: "We have witnessed massive cooperation in all sectors, including security, connectivity, power and energy, trade and commerce, cultural exchange and people-to-people contact."

Recalling the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2010, the Indian high commissioner said that tour had opened up a new chapter of relations and added a new dimension to bilateral ties.

"A series of achievements have been made after the visit," he said, adding such high level visits gave a new momentum to the relations between the two countries," he said.

Pankaj Saran said India valued its relations with Bangladesh and noted that the achievements made in bilateral cooperation had been possible due to the leadership of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

In this connection, he said the Indian people had tremendous admiration for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "Relations between the two countries are dynamic and comprehensive and if any problems arise, we will solve those through dialogue," Pankaj Saran said.

The Indian high commissioner said India and Bangladesh were now working together to combat militancy and terrorism. "We will continue to work to root out terrorism and militancy," he added.

Pankaj Saran also highly praised Bangladesh's socio-economic progress, particularly the country’s maintaining over six percent GDP growth for the last six years.

On the matter of Indian visas for Bangladeshis, the Indian high commissioner said New Delhi had already issued visas to 6.50 lakh Bangladeshis this year. "The number will be raised to seven lakh next year," he hoped.

PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad was present, among others, during the meeting.

Pankaj Saran, who has served as India's envoy to Bangladesh since 2012, will take over as his country’s new ambassador to Russia.

He will be replaced in Dhaka by Harsh Vardhan Shringla, currently India’s ambassador to Thailand.

News: BDnews24.com