India to step up intelligence sharing with Bangladesh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 19

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla wound up his two-day dash to Dhaka during which he discussed stepped up intelligence sharing, sharing of the Covid vaccine and a road map for Indian developmental assistance with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his counterpart Masud Bin Momen.

The importance of the visit can be gauged from the fact that this was Shringla’s first visit since the pandemic broke out. Similarly, Shringla was Hasina’s first overseas visitor since March.

“I had a very satisfactory visit, a very short visit,” Shringla told the media in Dhaka. “When vaccine is developed, friends, partners, and neighbours will get it without any saying . . . for us Bangladesh is always a priority,” he said.

“[The] reason is that our PM felt during COVID time there is not much contact, but the relationship (India-Bangladesh) must continue. We must continue to move forward towards our strong bilateral relations and I came primarily to look at that point,” he added.

The Indian side opted to play up the intelligence sharing angle in view of the dire strait of Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh amidst reports that their poverty was a breeding ground for criminal activity as well as radicalisation. Given India’s sensitivity on Pakistan once again trying to revive its network, this time potentially through the Rohingyas, it was decided to hold a meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in the near future.

Shringla also explained to Hasina the Indian approach to contributing to Bangladesh’s development including easy loans and the possibility of several projects being completed next year. He also discussed the plans for an air bubble between India and five of its neighbours including Bangladesh.

A few weeks before the visit, India had sent 10 diesel locomotives to Bangladesh.

They also discussed joint plans to observe Sheikh Mujibur Rahman centenary and the 50th anniversary of Indo-Bangladesh ties. India is likely to release a postage stamp of Sheikh Mujib. Shringla also spoke on the starting of a cargo ferry service and the possibility of quickly completing some projects such as the Akhaura-Agartala rail link and the Khulna thermal plant in time for the celebrations.