New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on Thursday jointly inaugurated the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link between the two countries. With inauguration of this rail link, five of the six pre-1965 rail links will become operational.
Holding a virtual summit with Sheikh Hasina, a day after Bangladesh celebrated 50th anniversary of its Victory Day, Prime Minister Modi commended Sheikh Hasina for the manner in which her government has countered the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Bangladesh is a significant pillar of our “`Neighbourhood First” policy. To strengthen relations with Bangladesh has been a priority for me since the first day,” Mr Modi said.
He said this year has been full of challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During this time, there has been good cooperation between our countries in the sphere of working with health professionals, Covid-19 vaccine, he recalled.
Sheikh Hasina paid homage to three million martyrs who laid down their lives during liberation war of
Bangladesh. “I pay tribute to the members of the Indian armed forces martyred in the 1971 war. I pay my gratitude to the government and people of India who extended wholehearted support for the cause of our liberation,” she said.
The two Prime Ministers also jointly inaugurated the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital exhibition.
Sheikh Hasina said that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Dhaka on March 26,2021 will be the crowning glory of joint commemoration of Bangladesh’s liberation war 1971 as the country is on the verge of celebrating 50 years as an independent nation.