Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, I believe that both countries can further enrich global and regional remittances by further consolidating our economies with the opportunity for existing cooperative consensus. We gladly recognize the growing interdependence of the economies of Bangladesh and India. A number of Indian nationals are employed in the manufacturing and service sectors of Bangladesh and they send remittances to their home country in India. On the other hand, the highest number of tourists and medical recipients from Bangladesh are going to India and taking this cooperation.
The Prime Minister said this while participating in the Bangladesh-India Virtual Summit through video conferencing on Thursday (December 17) morning. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina signed 7 MoUs at this virtual summit.
The Prime Minister said many things have changed in the present world because the world is facing a great pandemic. Mankind faces the test of how to deal with this unknown enemy. Millions of people are dying, livelihoods are being disrupted, the economy is stagnating and the social system is being disrupted. The biggest manifestation of the Covid-19 pandemic is the loss of human contact with humans.
We welcomed you to Dhaka earlier this year, but it remained incomplete because of Covid-19, she said. Nevertheless, the manner in which the relevant authorities on both sides have taken our bilateral cooperation forward during this transitional period, as directed by the last Summit, is commendable.
The Prime Minister said initiatives were taken to inspect, meet and increase trade capacity at a high level throughout the year 2020. We have taken various initiatives to receive the first experimental shipment of goods from Kolkata to North East India and of course to cooperate on Covid-19.
Addressing summit the Prime Minister said, in addition to your healthcare package, the economic packages introduced in this initiative are commendable. We believe that India will play a more important role in the global economy through the policies you have adopted.
Highlighting the steps taken by the Bangladesh government to tackle Covid-19, he said, we have also announced an incentive package of 14.14 billion to alleviate the economic and social impact of this pandemic in Bangladesh. Since the coronavirus was identified in early March, we have provided financial assistance to more than 2.5 crore people, providing them with social protection. We have already taken comprehensive measures to deal with the second wave of pandemics. As a result, we have been able to maintain the upward trend of our economy despite major disruptions in the international supply chain and declining consumer demand.
I believe that both countries can further enrich global and regional remittances by further consolidating our economies, taking advantage of existing cooperative consensus, she said. Our ongoing communication initiatives can act as a catalyst in this regard. One example of this is the reopening of the Chilhati-Haldibari rail link which we will inaugurate today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, our relationship is going through a landmark moment. Bangladesh is going to celebrate its 50th anniversary as an independent nation. It is also the 50th year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and India. Besides, I am celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Just a few months ago, we completed the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of your nation. We have released a special postage stamp in Bangladesh as a token of respect to Bapuji. We will also inaugurate a postal stamp in India today in honor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. I sincerely thank you and your government for coming together spontaneously to celebrate these important events together. Remembering our inseparable link in the great liberation war of 1971, we have decided to carry out some joint programs selected worldwide. Your presence in Dhaka on March 26, 2021 will make the glorious memory of our joint celebration memorable.