Modi reaffirms to resolve LBA, Teesta issues

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed that his government has been working to resolve the long-pending Land Boundary Agreement and Teesta water sharing deal with Bangladesh.His reissuance came at a meeting with Bangladesh president Abdul Hamid at Hyderbad House.During the 30-minute meeting, the president Hamid hoped that the two crucial issues will be resolved under Modi’s leadership, said the president’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim after the meeting.Praising India’s cooperation in Bangladesh’s power sector, Hamid said, ‘We need more support in this sector.’He also sought India’s cooperation in importing hydroelectricity from Nepal and Bhutan by Bangladesh, and underscored the need for improving connectivity for development of the region, while Modi emphasised infrastructural development in this regard.

The president lauded Modi’s leadership and his Gujrat model saying the young generation is being attracted by leadership.The Bangladesh president reminded the Indian prime minister about the invitation of Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and told him to make a visit soon.An impressed Modi in reply said, ‘I will try to visit Bangladesh soon.’The Indian prime minister apprised president Hamid that he held two fruitful meetings with Sheikh Hasina—one on the sidelines of the recent SAARC summit in Nepal and another on the UNGA sidelines.Modi also termed the month of December as very significant saying that he is happy to meet two great freedom fighters—General Jacob and president Abdul Hamid—in this month.Hamid recalled with gratitude the cooperation of the Indian government and its people during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.