India has decided to ease the visa regime to Bangladeshi tourists. Those aged below 13 and above 65 years will get multiple-entry five-year visas instead of the present one-year tourist visa.
This was conveyed by visiting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to her her counterpart Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahood Ali in theri talks in Dhaka today.
Briefing newspersons after the talks, Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin said it has also been decided to export to Bangladesh 100 MW of energy from the Palatan Hydroproject in Tripura.
India proposed to increase the frequency and number of coaches of the Kolkata-Dhaka Maitree Express train, while a bus service from Guwahati-Dhaka has also been proposed. Another proposal that came up was establishment of a Bangladesh Bhavan in Shanti Niketan. Bangladesh was been invited to join India' Nalanda University.
Describing the talks as constructive, productive, and fruitful engagements, the spokesperson said India delivered a message that it is ready to break fresh grounds to enhance the close and friendly relationship between the two countries share. He said all staples of the India-Bangladesh relationship were discussed during the bilateral talks and the outcome was enhanced focus on India-Bangladesh connectivity in terms of people, energy, transport, and exchange of ideas.
Syed Akbaruddin confirmed that Sushma Swaraj had handed over a letter of invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sheikh Hasina during her meeting with her. He also confirmed that the Minister had invited her Bangladeshi counterpart to visit India during the next meeting of the Joint Steering Committee scheduled to be held in Delhi.
On overland transit facility to India, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Minister told reporters that Dhaka had decided to allow the transit of 10,000 tonnes of foodgrains to Tripura using Bangladesh territory and infrastructure free of charge, as a sign of good will.
Underscoring the historic relationship and geographical interdependence, both countries have reiterated their committment to issues important and relevant to to each other.
Both have decided to promote connectivity and exchange of people, goods and services, and ideas, with the aim to enhance the relationship and to take it to greater heights. This is in consonnance with the new government's policy of prioritizing engagement with neighbouring countries as a foreign policy focus.
