Context: Recently, Indian Prime Minister and Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh held a Summit in virtual format. They paid solemn tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh, the Muktijoddhas and the Indian soldiers, for their great sacrifices in 1971. 

• Both sides held comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues.

Key highlights of the summit

• The summit is being held a day after India celebrated its 50th anniversary of the nation’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 India-Pakistan War, also known as Bangladesh Liberation War.
• The Chilahati-Haldibari rail link between India and Bangladesh was inaugurated.
• A digital exhibition on Mujibur Rahman and Mahatma Gandhi was jointly inaugurated.

MoUs and agreements were signed on various subjects such as

• Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector
• Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects through Local Bodies and other Public Sector Institutions
• Protocol on Trans boundary Elephant Conservation
• Supply of Equipment & Improvement of Garbage/Solid Waste Disposal Ground at Lamchori Area for Barishal City Corporation
• Cooperation in the field of Agriculture
• MoU between Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum, Dhaka, Bangladesh and the National Museum, New Delhi, India
• Terms of Reference of India-Bangladesh CEO’s Forum.

India-Bangladesh bilateral relations

• Cooperation in Health Sector: Reiterating the highest priority India attaches to Bangladesh under India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Prime Minister assured that vaccines would be made available to Bangladesh as and when produced in India. 

Border Management and Security Cooperation

• It was agreed to carry out necessary work to convert the International Boundary along Kuhsiyara river into a fixed boundary.
• Both leaders agreed to facilitate completion of border fencing at all pending sectors at the international border between both the countries at the earliest beginning from the Tripura (India)- Bangladesh sector. 
• Concern: The loss of civilian lives at the border is a matter of concern.

Trade Partnership for Growth

• The Duty Free and Quota Free access is given to Bangladeshi exports to India under SAFTA since 2011. 
• Both Prime Ministers directed the officials to expeditiously conclude the ongoing joint study on the prospects of entering into a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• The consultations on anti-dumping/anti-circumvention duties imposed on export of jute products from Bangladesh to India were held.

Connectivity for Prosperity
The recent initiatives include the 

• newly restored railway link between Haldibari (India) and Chilahati (Bangladesh).
• signing of the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), 
• trial run of trans-shipment of Indian goods from Kolkata to Agartala via Chattogram 
• operationalization of Sonamura-Daudkandi Protocol route under the PIWTT. 
• trans-shipment of Indian goods through Chattogram and Mongla Ports
• Early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement.

Cooperation in Water Resources, Power and Energy

• Bangladesh highlighted the need for early signing of interim agreement for sharing of the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011. 
• It was agreed to expedite implementation of projects including India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, Maitree Super Thermal Power Project as well as other projects. 
• Forcibly Displaced Persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar: Bangladesh’s expectation is to see India assist in the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to Myanmar.

International partnerships 

• Both countries agreed to continue working together towards achieving early reforms of the UN Security Council, combating climate change, attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and protection of the rights of migrants.
• Given the regional and global economic scenarios following the outbreak of COVID 19, regional organisations, such as SAARC and BIMSTEC have an important role to play. 
• Bangladesh will assume chairmanship of the IORA in 2021 and requested the support of India for working towards greater maritime safety and security. 
• New Development Bank: Bangladesh thanked India for inviting it to join the Institution.