PM Hasina’s India visit to focus Mongla port management, power trade
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will leave Dhaka for Delhi tomorrow on a two-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, with key agenda issues including cross-border connectivity initiatives and management of Mongla port.
Additionally, discussions will cover Indian investments in the Teesta special economic zone, power trade, and a potential trade pact, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources.
India has expressed a strong interest in managing operations at Bangladesh's Mongla Port and constructing a new terminal there.
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This interest arises amid China's efforts to gain control over the strategically important port. India's focus on Mongla aligns with its broader strategy to counter China's expanding influence in the region, reports The Economic Times.
India already holds operational rights at Iran's Chabahar Port and Myanmar's Sittwe Port. Adding Mongla Port would further enhance India's strategic presence across the Indian Ocean.
According to sources, if successful, India's management of Mongla Port will secure its influence over key maritime locations on both the western and eastern fronts of the Indian Ocean, reinforcing its position as a dominant player in the region's security architecture.
India Ports Global Limited has visited Mongla Port to study its operations, and negotiations are underway. If successful, Mongla will become India's third international port operation after Chabahar and Sittwe, said the Economic Times report.
The Mongla Port Authority will evaluate the proposal, considering its profitability. Currently, the port operates container and bulk carrier vessels and plans to construct two more jetties to handle increased cargo volume from transhipment, it added.
Indian PM Narendra Modi is expected to discuss this matter with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during their upcoming meetings, marking the first bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed its government for the third consecutive time, reports UNB.
This will be Sheikh Hasina's second trip to the Indian capital in less than 15 days, following her visit for the Indian premier's swearing-in ceremony on 9 June and preceding Modi's proposed visit to Dhaka.
This is also Sheikh Hasina's third trip to New Delhi since September 2023, underscoring the strengthening ties between India and Bangladesh.
Over the past decade, numerous cross-border initiatives have been launched as part of a robust regional partnership plan.
The Modi-Hasina summit on 22 June might also focus on enhancing the defence partnership between the two nations.
Despite India offering a $500 million line of credit to Bangladesh for the defence sector, this funding remains untapped.
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her entourage will depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday at about 2pm, according to Foreign Ministry sources.
The flight is scheduled to land at Palam Airport, New Delhi, at around 4pm (Delhi time), where she will be welcomed by high-level dignitaries of India and Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India, Md Mustafizur Rahman.
In the evening, India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, will meet with her at Hotel Taj Palace.
On Saturday morning, a ceremonial reception with a red carpet welcome will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be received by her Indian counterpart. National Anthems of both countries will be played, and she will inspect the Guard of Honour.
She will then visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and sign the visitor's book.
Later, Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a tete-a-tete at Hyderabad House, followed by delegation-level talks and a signing ceremony for agreements. Both Prime Ministers will give press statements and attend a banquet luncheon hosted by the Indian Prime Minister at Hyderabad House.
In the afternoon, Sheikh Hasina will meet with the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, at his Secretariat.
In the evening, she will call on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
At 6pm (Delhi time), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will depart from Palam Airport, New Delhi, on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and is expected to land in Dhaka at about 9pm.
