PM Sheikh Hasina seeks cooperation of neighbouring countries to build a prosperous Bangladesh

"We are committed to building a prosperous and developed Bangladesh. To achieve the goal, we need more support and cooperation from neighbours," she said.

The Premier was talking to Indian Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan, who paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganobhaban residence here on Sunday afternoon.

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

The Premier put emphasis on joint cooperation among the neighbouring countries to root out poverty from the region. "We will have to fight together to eliminate poverty from the region," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also underscored the need for further strengthening connectivity between the neighbouring countries for ensuring uplift of their people.

In this connection, she noted that the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal has already been inked, while a process for setting up Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor is underway.

"We have already resolved the Ganges Water sharing problem and the Land Boundary dispute with India..we are now working to strengthen connectivity with neighbours," she said.

Pointing out establishing 100 economic zones across Bangladesh for further industrialization and economic uplift, the Prime Minister sought investment from the neighbouring countries in these economic zones.

She extended her thanks to the Indian government for supplying gasoil to Bangladesh in a goodwill gesture.

Sheikh Hasina also noted with happiness that Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation Limited are going to sign an MoU on setting up an LP Gas Plant in Chittagong.

The Indian state minister said the policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to develop "good will" and strong relationship with neighbors.

"We want to build new relationship and our government is also keen to establish mutual trust of cooperation with neighbours," he remarked.

Describing energy as a "key area" of cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi, Dharmendra Pradhan said India is ready to build an oil pipeline with Bangladesh through northeast for boosting cooperation in the energy sector.

"We have already established such pipelines with Bhutan and Sri Lanka...we are now ready to build a pipeline with Bangladesh," he said.

While talking about the fixing of oil price that would be supplied to Bangladesh, the Indian state minister said the price would be fixed in a "friendship spirit" not on "commercial basis".

Narendra Pradhan stressed the need for development of petrochemical products through partnership with Bangladesh.

PM's International Affairs Advisor Dr Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Indian Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Sanjay Sodhi and Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd B Ashok were present on the occasion.

Dharmendra Pradhan arrived here today on a three-day visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart.