Modi assures Hamid of resolving Teesta, LBA issues

Bangladesh's President Abdul Hamid (L) shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi December 19, 2014. Photo: Reuters

Reaffirming the Indian government's commitment on resolving Teesta water sharing and implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) issues, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said his government has been working continuously on these two crucial matters.
"We've been working on Teesta water sharing and LBA issues for their immediate solution," the Indian premier said when he met President Abdul Hamid at Hyderabad House, President's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS quoting the meeting.
Modi said he has a plan to visit Dhaka as early as possible.

During the half-an-hour meeting, President Hamid lauded the leadership of Modi and his 'Gujarat Model' saying his leadership would help the young generation across India for building a prosperous country.
Referring to Bangladesh-India cooperation in power sector, the president sought more help in this regard, specially in the efforts of Bangladesh to import hydropower by Bangladesh from Nepal and Bhutan.
In response, Modi said India is ready to intensify its cooperation in power sector.
Abdul Hamid also laid emphasis on developing regional connectivity and said such connectivity would help the region reap economic benefits for it.
On connectivity issue, the Indian premier said collective efforts will have to be made on developing sub-regional connectivity, including development of infrastructure and tourism. Referring to his meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New York and during Saarc Summit in Kathmandu, Modi said they had successful talks.
The president recalled with gratitude the unprecedented support and assistance extended to Bangladesh during the historic War of Liberation War in 1971.
Modi said he is happy that he had opportunity to meet two great freedom fighters, General Jacob and Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Moazzem Ali, Rezwan Ahmed Tawfiq, MP and senior secretary Shaikh Altaf Ali were present on Bangladesh side while Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, foreign secretary Sujata Singh and Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran joined the Indian side.