Joint Statement on the Second meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission between Bangladesh and India

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Joint Statement on the Second meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission between Bangladesh and India

February 16, 2013

The second meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) was held in Dhaka on 16 February 2013. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, while the Indian delegation was led by External Affairs Minister Shri Salman Khurshid.
The Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the significant forward movement in implementation of the decisions taken by the two sides, including during the first JCC meeting. This has widened the scope of bilateral cooperation and relations have become truly multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of areas including trade and investment, security, connectivity, border management, water, power, shipping, renewable energy, development cooperation, art and culture, people to people exchanges, human resource development, among others.
Both sides welcomed regular exchanges, both political and official, which had helped create goodwill between the two countries. The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the Foreign Secretaries had met twice and Director General/Joint Secretary of the concerned Division of the Ministries of Foreign/External Affairs had met in Dhaka for formal consultations since the >st JCC.
The two Ministers expressed satisfaction about the recent meetings on security cooperation at different levels viz. Home Ministers, Home Secretaries, JWG on Security and Directors-General of the BGB and BSF. They welcomed the signing of the Extradition Treaty during the recent visit of Home Minister of India to Dhaka and hoped that this would further facilitate cooperation on security related matters between the two countries. The External Affairs Minister of India reiterated the appreciation of the government of India for the cooperation extended by Bangladesh in the security related matters. Both Ministers reiterated their commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The two Ministers welcomed the signing of the Revised Travel Arrangements during the Indian Home Ministers visit and its notification by both sides. They expressed confidence that this liberalized visa regime would have a significant impact on further enhancing bilateral relations by facilitating people-to-people contact.
The two Ministers stressed on effective implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), including regular coordination and exchange between the nodal officers at different levels for better border management to prevent cross border criminal activities, illegal movementincidents of violence and loss of lives and early completion of fencing of vulnerable patches along the border.
The Ministers noted that the signing of the Protocol to the Land Boundary Agreement had paved the way for settlement of all remaining land boundary issues. They agreed on the need for ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) 1974 and its Protocol at the earliest to resolve all pending boundary related issues including exchange of enclaves and areas in adverse possession. They noted with satisfaction that all the signed strip maps were exchanged between the two sides during the visit.
The two sides noted that signing of the Protocol amending the Convention for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income would enhance bilateral cooperation for effective exchange of information
The Ministers noted with satisfaction the various measures taken for enhancement of trade and investment between the two countries. They stressed the urgent need for upgradation of infrastructure of the Land Customs Stations (LCSs)/Land Ports and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) and for completion of the upgradation works at the identified LCS/ICPs on schedule. The External Affairs Minister of India conveyed India’s concurrence for the development works proposed to be undertaken by Bangladesh side for Land Custom Stations at nine sites within 150 yards of the International Boundary.Both sides agreed to put in place necessary infrastructure for operationalising the LCS at Thegamukh–Demagiri and Sabroom-Ramgarh at an early date. They also underscored the need for removal of non-tariff barriers on both sides. Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Trade at the earliest.The two Ministers noted with appreciation the positive response received from the users of Border Haats. Welcoming the understanding reached on opening of the two new Border Haats along the Bangladesh-Tripura border the two sides agreed to consider new proposals for setting up border haats along Bangladesh-India border that would contribute to the income generation and well-being of the people of those areas. They agreed on the needto convene a meeting of the Joint Committee on Border Haat to review their operations and make further recommendations for their management. The Ministers noted the need for harmonization of standards and mutual recognition of certificates as an important element of trade facilitation between the two countries. They expressed hope that Agreement on Cooperation between the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) would be signed at the earliest. The External Affairs Minister conveyed the approval of the Government of India for inclusion of proposal for upgradation of BSTI under the US$ 800 million Line of Credit.
Referring to the connectivity between the two countries through waterways, railways, roadways and air, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister stated that Bangladesh had formed a Working Group under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for evolving a comprehensive framework with a view to facilitate movement of goods between the two countries. They agreed on the need to extendthe validity of the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade to make it co-terminus with the Bilateral Trade Agreement. They expressed hope that the forthcoming Shipping Secretary level talks scheduled to be held from 27 February 2013 would enable the two sides to identify ways to further enhance cooperation under the framework of the Protocol. They hoped that the concerned agencies would complete the feasibility study under Indian grant for upgradation of Ashuganj Inland Port with a view to its full utilization as a transshipment point at an early date. They expressed satisfaction that the two sides had met to explore the possibilities and prospects of Coastal Shipping between the two countries. They welcomed the siging of the MoU on establishing rail link between Akhaura and Agartala and expressed hope that the ongoing work for establishing rail linkages between Shahbazpur-Mahishashan and Chilahati-Haldibari would also be completed at the earliest. The two Ministers hoped that the Empowered Group set up to examine the ways and means of popularizing the Maitree Express would be submitting their report at an early date to ease the travel of the passengers. Bangladesh side assured that it would be conveying its views on the draft Motor Vehicle Agreement soon.
The two Ministers reiterated their commitment for early finalization of the Interim Agreement for sharing of the waters of the Teesta and Feni rivers. They also noted with satisfaction that the Sub-Group of JRC for Tipaimukh hydro-electric project had held two productive meetings over the last few months. They further noted that the river bank protection works were being implemented in phases to save valuable land and properties on both sides. The Indian side reiterated its earlier commitment that it would not take any unilateral decision on the Himalayan component of the proposed River-Interlinking project which may adversely affect Bangladesh.
Both the Ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress of cooperation in the power sector overall. They appreciated that the work on grid inter-connection between Bheramara-Baharampur was expected to be completed by June/July 2013. They also took note of the progress of work of setting up the 1320 MW Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company at Rampal, Bagerhat, Khulna and expressed hope that the related issues would be resolved soon. The two sides noted that Bangladesh was in the process of finalizing purchase of additional 250MW power from the open market of India. The External Affairs Minister of India welcomed the Bangladesh participation in power projects in India, particularly in the Northeastern States of India. The two Ministers also agreed that there remains much scope for cooperation in the renewable energy sector. In this connection, they expressed satisfaction at the holding of the 1st meeting of the JWG on Renewable Energy Cooperation where both sides identified some priority areas for mutual cooperation and it was agreed that the next meeting of the JWG would be held shortly.
The Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of projects under the $ 800 Million Indian Line of Credit. They noted that projects amounting to US $ 785.45 million were being processed and were at various stages of implementation. They stressed the need to expedite early completion of all formalities of the new projects so that the benefits could reach the people.
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh reiterated the appreciation of the government for conversion of US$ 200 Million of the LOC into grant. The External Affairs Minister of India stated that the first tranche of the grant would be released to Bangladesh shortly for utilization for projects that were of priority to Bangladesh.
Both the Ministers agreed on the need to move forward on the decision to explore possibilities of cooperation in power/hydropower, water, connectivity and transit in the sub-regional context. Foreign Minister of Bangladesh reiterated her invitation to host meetings of both the Joint Working Groups in March 2013 between Bangladesh-India-Bhutan and Bangladesh-India-Nepal for exploratory discussions.
Both the Ministers noted with great satisfaction the successful hosting of the year-long programme for joint celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore and the joint celebration of the 90th anniversary of Bidrohi by Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. They also expressed satisfaction that the 150thbirth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was jointly celebrated by both the countries and noted that these initiatives had encouraged interaction among the people and helped foster greater understanding and goodwill between the peoples of the two countries. Both sides agreed to conclude a new Cultural Exchange Programme at the earliest.
The two Ministers noted with satisfaction the level of cooperation in the education sector and human resources development. They noted that the signing of the MoU on Cooperation between the Foreign Service Academy of Bangladesh (FSA) and the Foreign Service Institute of India (FSI) would facilitate understanding between the diplomatic services of the two countries. They also agreed to explore further avenues of cooperation including more training programmes, exchanges of delegations/trainees and hosting of officials of various training institutes in this regard. They also expressed confidence that signing of the MoU on Bangladesh-India Foundation would further promote friendly exchanges between the two countries.
Both the Ministers also noted that with the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in the fields of Health and Medical Sciences, medical professionals of both countries would get the benefits of exchange of scientific materials and information and joint collaboration in research in medical science.
The two Ministers expressed hope that the JWG on Conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers at the Sundarbans would be meeting soon to explore the possibilities of mutual cooperation in this sector.
The Ministers expressed satisfaction that the JWG on Fisheries would be meeting very soon and hoped that there both the sides would be able to agree on ways and means for optimal utilization of the fishing resources to the benefit of the two peoples. The Ministers further expressed hope that the JWG on would also be meeting soon to intensify cooperation in the field of agriculture.
Both sides agreed to enhance telecommunication connectivity between the two countries.
The two sides signed the following documents:
- MoU for Establishment of Bangladesh-India Foundation
- MoU on establishment of Akhaura Agartala Rail link
- Protocol amending the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.
The External Affairs Minister will call on the Hon’ble Prime Minister and will also meet the Hon’ble Minister for Home Affairs and Hon’ble Minister for Water Resources of Bangladesh during his visit to Dhaka.
Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date to be decided through diplomatic channels.

Dhaka
16 February 2013

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Ministry of External Affairs

Joint Statement on the Second meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission between Bangladesh and India