Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi on Monday sought joint efforts to speed up sub-regional economic cooperation to maximise benefits for the people of this region.

He said Bangladesh welcomes more Indian investment in infrastructure projects, including joint ventures, to expedite development efforts here, reports the UNB.

Dr Rizvi was addressing a bilateral conclave on ‘Bangladesh-India Relations: Deepening Cooperation and the Way Ahead’ at Sonargaon Hotel in the city.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla also spoke.

The Institute for Policy, Advocacy and Governance (IPAG) arranged the daylong event. IPAG Chairman Syed Munir Khasru sent a video message for the audience.

Dr Rizvialso sought efforts to expedite the implementation of the projects taken under the Indian Line of Credit (LoC) to ensure maximum benefits for people. ‘We enjoy US$ 8 billion Indian LOC.’

Noting that the current relations between Bangladesh and India at its best, Gowher Rizvi said it is time to intensify and speed up the efforts to make the relationship greater and broader.

Highlighting the progress made so far since 2009, Dr Rizvi said it is time to intensify and speed up the efforts to take the relations to greater heights to maximise benefits. ‘There’s no time inertia or slowing down rather making it faster.’

Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale said Bangladesh and India need to enhance the current level of cooperation and sustain it to serve the common interests of the two countries.

‘India and Bangladesh today host a record number of bilateral institutional mechanisms that monitor and facilitate progress in all areas of cooperation,’ he said.

The Indian Foreign Secretary said they want to further strengthen and deepen the cooperation for the benefit of people and the region.

He said the bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and India is based on a ‘win-win’ formula for both countries based on ‘mutuality of interests’.  ‘Both of our countries, therefore, attach the highest priority to continuing the strong momentum in our bilateral relations.’

India and Bangladesh today host a record number of bilateral institutional mechanisms that monitor and facilitate progress in all areas of cooperation, the Indian Foreign Secretary mentioned. 

Gokhale said connectivity is an issue that is very closely linked with trade and investment. ‘Promoting economic integration and fostering linkages and connectivity between our two countries through cross-border trade, transport, telecom, cyber, energy links etc. is a policy priority for both countries.’

He said this will lead to greater economic growth and development for India and Bangladesh as well as the sub-region.

‘We’ve been able to increase connectivity by road, rail, air, water and coastal shipping links. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of restoringpre-1965 links encompassing road, rail, water and coastal shipping has been a guiding factor,’ said the Indian Foreign Secretary.