Bangladesh, India strengthen bilateral relations amidst the 2020 pandemic

Bangladesh consolidated bilateral ties with India in 2020 during the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.


Bangladesh consolidated bilateral ties with India in 2020 amidst the financial challenges being faced by the country due to COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a planned visit to Dhaka in March 2020 which was cancelled due to outbreak of the pandemic. A virtual summit was held on December 17 with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina who referred to India as a "true friend".

Both the leaders inaugurated a key rail link between Haldibari and Chilahati which was not functioning since the India- Pakistan war of 1965. Currently, five rail links are operational between the two countries. A joint statement was released in which PM Modi assured Hasina that India will provide Bangladesh with COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are produced. India has also promised to remove the non-tariff barriers which will surely strengthen ties between the two countries.

PM Modi is likely to visit Dhaka in March 2021 as Bangladesh will be celebrating 50 years of Independence. 


 

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