The relationship between India and Bangladesh is built on mutual understanding, trust and respect, said Andalib Elias, deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh deputy high commission in Calcutta, on Wednesday.

“The relationship between the two countries is built on mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual respect.… I believe that if these are the foundations of a relationship, India and Bangladesh can ensure the prosperity of the entire subcontinent,” said Elias (in picture) at a programme on India-Bangladesh Relations, Bilateral Trade and Development.

The programme was jointly organised by Kolkata Press Club and the deputy high commission in the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the neighbouring nation’s freedom movement in 1971.

Several issues related to the India-Bangladesh bilateral relations — like opportunities for higher trade, greater people-to-people exchanges and sub-regional cooperation — came up during discussions at the programme.

Shamsul Arif, first secretary (commercial) at the deputy high commission, made an elaborate presentation on the growth of the Bangladesh economy in recent years before outlining how greater cooperation between the two neighbours could result in “win-win” outcomes for the two countries.

The timing of the programme was significant as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be in India on a three-day state visit, from September 5 to 7.

313 fresh Covid cases

Bengal on Wednesday recorded 313 Covid-19 infections, 407 recoveries and three deaths.

The state has at present 3,380 active patients — 3,232 in home isolation and 148 at hospitals.

According to a state government bulletin, the recovery rate was 98.82 per cent and mortality rate 1.02 per cent on Wednesday.

On a day 10,124 samples were tested, the positivity rate stood at 3.09 per cent.

Bengal has so far recorded 21,05,535 cases, 20,80,706 recoveries and 21,449 deaths.