New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated multiple projects along with Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina and told her in a rather display of confidence that in "next five years" too he will work sincerely to strengthen India-Bangladesh ties.
"I consider it my good luck that with you, I worked to build up a strong and a 'sonali (golden period)' of India-Bangladesh relations in last five years. I am confident, in next five years, we will further enhance this relationship and take it to a new height," PM Modi told Sheikh Hasina while inaugurating the projects through video conferencing.
An MEA release here said Mr Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, jointly unveiled e-plaques for development projects in Bangladesh, through video conference.
"Both leaders unveiled e-plaques for supply of buses and trucks, inauguration of 36 community clinics, 11 water treatment plants, and extension of National Knowledge Network to Bangladesh."
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said all these projects are directly linked to the lives of the common people.
"There is very close bond between the people of Bangladesh and India. The development of Bangladesh is a matter of happiness for India. But it is also a source of inspiration," Prime Minister Modi said.
He said these projects show that Indo-Bangladesh relations are playing an important and positive role to improve the quality of life of the general public.
He expressed happiness that both countries have taken steps to increase connectivity not only in the transport sector but also in the area of knowledge.
He said the Water Treatment Plants will bring pure drinking water to thousands of homes and Community clinics will benefit about two lakh people by providing health services.
The projects include supply of double decker, single decker AC and non-AC buses and trucks to Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (under second line of credit); and 36 community clinics in five districts -- Jamalpur, Sherpur, Habiganj, Sunamganj and Brahmanbaria of Bangladesh -- under the grant financing of Indian government.
The remaining two projects are 11 Water Treatment Plants at Bhandaria Pouroshova in Pirojpur (under grant financing from India); and Extension of National Knowledge Network (NKN).
Of the 1,100 buses, 300 are double deckers, 100 non-AC buses, 100 city AC buses and 100 intercity AC buses. Among the trucks, 350 are of 16.2-ton capacity and 150 of 10.2-ton capacity ones.
Meanwhile, 47 BRTC buses and 25 trucks have arrived in Bangladesh, source said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and NSA Ajit Doval were also present.
From Bangladesh side - Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque were present at the inaugural event at Ms Hasina's official residence in Dhaka.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms Swaraj said: "The credit for this remarkable phase in India-Bangladesh ties goes to the vision and statesmanship of our two Prime Ministers".
PM Modi and Ms Sheikh Hasina's "sagacity has been matched only by their political commitment" to taking the partnership to new heights, and to making India-Bangladesh ties a model for the region— and in future, for the world as well, External Affairs Minister said.
UNI DEVN AR 1931