Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Wednesday wrapped up a 27-hour visit to Dhaka, during which he conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message that New Delhi always considered Bangladesh as its priority.
The communication, multiple sources said, gave a much-needed boost to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
“For us, Bangladesh is always a priority,” Shringla told reporters after a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen.
Shringla had met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday, setting the stage for bilateral talks at the foreign secretary-level on Wednesday.
From discussions on collaboration for developing a coronavirus vaccine to creation of an air bubble for travel between the two countries, the visit produced several “positives” for both nations, which prompted Shringla to comment that his visit was “short but very satisfactory”.
The sudden visit of Shringla during the pandemic had aroused curiosity. It comes against the backdrop of a growing perception in India that China has been expanding its footprints in Bangladesh and Pakistan trying to woo Dhaka.
Shringla said there had not been much contact during the outbreak but the relationship must continue.
“We must continue and move forward our strong bilateral relationship,” Shringla said.
The Indian foreign secretary on Wednesday said India was now at an advanced stage of developing a Covid vaccine and “friends, partners and neighbours” will get priority once it is developed. He told reporters that he highlighted India’s strength in producing vaccines during his discussion with Hasina.
Bangladesh had been toying with the idea of allowing China to conduct the final trial of its vaccine in the country, a decision that has been put on hold for the time being amid murmurs that Hasina did so because of India’s reservations. A section of Bangladesh media referred to Shringla’s visit as “vaccine diplomacy”.
The fact that Dhaka was convinced by New Delhi’s offer was clear when Momen said that Bangladesh, which has been in touch with China, Russia, the US and the UK for the Covid vaccine, was ready to collaborate in the development of the vaccine, including its trial in the country.
One of the key takeaways of the visit was finalising a plan to hold the next foreign minister-level talks in virtual format as soon as possible and a visit by Momen to India before the joint consultative commission, which has been set up to discuss the entire gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The loudest cheer, however, was in store for India’s proposal to establish a bilateral air bubble arrangement —under which airlines of both countries can operate international flights with certain restrictions — with Bangladesh.
“We hope that we can do it soon… The air-bubble will help critically ill Bangladeshi to visit India to avail medical treatment,” said Momen, who said that the initiative will help both the countries.
The discussions during Shringla’s trips, however, not only revolved around pleasantries as Bangladesh expressed some of its major concerns. Foreign secretary Moment took care to explain that they expressed deep concern at the rise in killings along the Indo-Bangladesh border by the BSF /Indian nationals during the first half of this year.
“Following discussions on this issue, it was decided that the matter would be discussed in more detail during the DG (director general)-level talks between BGB and BSF in Dhaka next month,” said Momen.
He said that he also conveyed to Shringla that Bangladesh expected India, which enjoys a good relationship with Mayanmar, to play “a more meaningful role” for a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.
