India and Bangladesh have decided to expand their strategic partnership to include Artificial Intelligence, cyber security, startups, and Fintech, strengthening links in the railway’s sector and cross-border river management and conservation.
This partnership was decided at the 7th Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting between the two foreign ministers, Mr. S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs and Mr. AK Abdul Momen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh.
Several connectivity projects have also been started by the two countries, including the revival of rail ties interrupted after the 1965 India-Pakistan war and river routes that offer north-eastern provinces access to Bangladeshi ports. Bangladesh is emerging as a connectivity link between Northeast India and Southeast Asia after connectivity through Myanmar reached a standstill following the 2021 coup.
In May 2022, Mr. Momin met his Indian counterpart Dr. S Jaishankar in Guwahati to discuss obtaining crude oil from Russia while handling sanctions, as Bangladesh is equally concerned about energy security. The JCC was held after two years in 2022.
Source: ibef.org
