- A Framework Agreement between India and Bangladesh had been envisaged during the visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to India in January 2010. The Joint Communiqué issued on that occasion notes that the two Prime Ministers agreed to put in place a comprehensive framework of cooperation for development between the two countries, encapsulating their mutually shared vision for the future.
- The Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed by the two Prime Ministers on September 6, 2011 in Dhaka provides the template for future cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
- The Agreement lays down the framework for enhancing mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas. These include – promotion of trade, investment and economic cooperation; connectivity; water resources; management of natural disasters; generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, including from renewable or other sources; promotion of scientific, educational and cultural cooperation; people to people exchanges; environmental protection and responding to challenges of climate change through adaptation; sub regional cooperation in the power sector, water resources management, physical connectivity, environment and sustainable development; and enhancing cooperation in security. The Agreement may be amended by mutual consent in order to enhance, deepen and widen the scope of cooperation, including regional/ sub-regional expansion.
- The Agreement would enable the two countries to realize their shared destiny and common vision through the optimum utilization of opportunities for mutual benefit.
- A Joint Consultative Commission would be established to monitor effective and smooth implementation of the Agreement. The Commission will meet annually.
- The Agreement entered into force today and shall remain in force until terminated by mutual consent by either Party.
The Protocol to the Agreement Concerning the Demarcation between India and Bangladesh and Related Matters signed today between the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and the External Affairs Minister of India seeks to address all outstanding land boundary issues and provide a final settlement to the India-Bangladesh boundary. The outstanding issues addressed include (i) undemarcated land boundary in three sectors viz. Daikhata-56 (West Bengal), Muhuri River-Belonia (Tripura) and Dumabari (Assam); (ii) enclaves; and (iii) adverse possessions. The undemarcated boundary in all three segments has now been demarcated.The status of 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh with a population of 37,334 and 51 Bangladesh enclaves in India with a population of 14,215 has been addressed. The issue of Adversely Possessed Lands along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam has also been mutually finalised. The boundary settlement has been concluded keeping in view the aspirations of the people.
The MOU seeks to facilitate rail transit to/from Bangladesh and Nepal by using the Rohanpur-Singhabad route as agreed during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh Mrs. Sheikh Hasina to India in January 2010. It also facilitates rail transit between Bangladesh and Nepal using Indian territory through the Radhikapur-Birol line once the Bangladesh portion is converted into broad guage. The signing of this MOU will facilitate bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Nepal.
The MOU seeks to facilitate cooperation in the areas of conservation of biodiversity, joint management of resources, livelihood generation for poverty alleviation and development, cataloging of local flora and fauna and studying the impacts of climate change. A Working Group would be set up to implement the activities under MoU. The MoU is valid for for an intial period of five years which can be extended further through mutual consent.
The Protocol on Conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban provides for bilateral cooperation in undertaking scientific research, knowledge sharing and patrolling of the Sunderban waterways on their respective sides to prevent poaching or smuggling of derivatives from wildlife and bilateral initiatives to ensure survival and conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger in the unique ecosystem of the Sunderban. The Protocol also provides for cooperation to promote understanding & knowledge of Royal Bengal Tigers, exchange of personnel for training and promotion of education.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on Cooperation in the Field of Fisheries seeks to promote development of cooperation in fisheries and acquaculture and allied activities between the two countries through joint activities, programmes, exchange of scientific materials, information and personnel. A Joint Working Group would be set up to facilitate cooperation under the MoU and review progress. The Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of India and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of the Government of Bangladesh would coordinate implementation of the MoU. The MOU would be valid for an initial period of 5 years and can be extended further through mutual consent.
The Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of renewable energy between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh aims to establish the basis for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote technical, bilateral cooperation in the areas of solar, wind and bio energy on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity.
An MoU on Educational Cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dhaka University was signed between the Vice Chancellors of the two Universities in Dhaka on September 6, 2011.
Considering the large number of students from Bangladesh pursuing their academic career in India, especially at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, a formal mechanism on Educational Cooperation between Dhaka University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University would foster and institutionalize existing cooperation between the two Universities.
The MoU is designed to be a framework agreement for educational cooperation between the two institutions whereby the two sides express their commitment towards cooperation in identified sectors – Social Sciences, International Relations, Computer Science etc — through the annual calendar of events. The MoU is expected to benefit scholars and researchers of both India and Bangladesh.
An MoU on Cooperation between the Doordarshan, India and the BTV, Bangladesh was signed by the representatives of two organizations in Dhaka on September 06, 2011.
Under the agreement, both the public broadcasters would make available live telecasts of News, Cultural and Educational Programmes for mutual broadcast. Doordarshan and BTV may also broadcast live of any specific events such as visit of High Dignitaries to each others’ countries or of cultural events of significance. Further, they would explore the possibilities of jointly co-producing television programmes. Doordarshan, having a well equipped Staff Training Institute for carrying out training in advanced broadcast techniques for its staff, will endeavour to provide such training to BTV in the fields of programme production, technology and management. In addition, Doordarshan may also to provide consultancy on technical services to BTV.
The agreement would provide an opportunity for BTV and Doordarashan, in general, and DD Bangla, in particular, to telecast its programmes in India and Bangladesh, respectively. The MoU is intended to reddress, to the extent possible, the paucity of Bangladesh programmes on Indian TV.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Academic Cooperation between National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), Dhaka seeks to promote cooperation between the two institutes in the areas of exchange of students and faculty and training and research activities concerning design, management and technology. The MoU defines the principles, policy guidelines & procedures of cooperation.
NIFT is a statutory institute under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It was set up in 1986 to train professionals to meet the requirements of the textiles industry. The Institute has pioneered the evolution of fashion education across the country through its network of fifteen centres. BIFT, established in 1999 by the BGMEA, is affiliated to the National university of Bangladesh.
