President Pranab Mukherjee today made out a strong case for Bangladesh granting transit and connectivity to India, contending that this can pave the way for greater integration in South and South East Asia.
As India presses Bangladesh for the transit to connect its mainland to the northeastern Indian states to address their developmental and security concerns, Mukherjee stressed on transit in the larger context of this country's geographical location.
He said that Bangladesh can act as a bridge between South and South East Asia. Mr. Mukherjee said this in his speech after receiving an honorary law degree from Dhaka University at a special convocation in Dhaka this afternoon.
The President expressed the hope that an early agreement between India and Bangladesh on the sharing of Teesta waters would be worked out as sharing of the waters of common rivers is a high priority for us.
He also said, the Indian government proposes to introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament to give effect to the provisions of the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh.
Amidst current political turmoil in Bangladesh, President Pranab Mukherjee today expressed confidence that the democratic traditions in this country will grow stronger with time and the youth will preserve democracy with their constant vigil.
President Mukherjee, who arrived in Bangladesh on his first foreign visit as the President, was accorded a rousing welcome by over 10,000 students and staff in an open air pandal.
He reminded students that Bangladesh has embraced democracy largely due to the values and principles which its people held dear when they fought for their independence from Pakistan in 1971.
President Pranab Mukherjee was today also honoured by Bangaldesh government in recognition of his contribution to the struggle that led to the birth of this nation 42 years ago. The 'Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Award' is being conferred on 77-year-old Mukherjee at a time when the trial of the Islamists for the crimes they committed during the liberation war of the nation in 1971, triggered a mass uprising against religious fundamentalism.
India has already voiced its support for the agitation, which is being primarily led by youths.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh conferred the award on Mukherjee at a function at the Presidential Palace this evening.
Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was posthumously conferred the Bangladesh Swadhinata Sanmanona award in July, 2011. Congress President Sonia Gandhi had received the award in Dhaka.
