Press Release 

Asian Confluence hosted a  web-dialogue titled on the “50 Years of Bangladesh: India Bangladesh Relations: New Avenues and the way forward” on the run up Indian Prime Minister’s Narendra Modi visit to Bangladesh and to mark the celebration of 50 years of Independence of Bangladesh and India-Bangladesh relations.  The  dialogue witnessed a deep appreciation of the current state of India Bangladesh Friednship which in the word of Sheikh Muzib , the father of the nation is “eternal and flowing”

The Chief Guest at the webinar was Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh who also delivered the keynote address. In his address he highlighted that India-Bangladesh relation has moved towards a much deeper and border aspect of cooperation and suggested that the next step should be deeper cooperation in water shared water resource management amongst other areas. In his special address Amb.Shahidul Haque Professorial Fellow, North South University &  Former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh stressed the need to work for develpoing a better narratuve around shared borders, bringing border killings to zero and suggested innovative projects such as a university located at the border where communites from both countries can be benefitted .

Asian Confluence also launched a report titled “Bangladesh@50- India-Bangladesh Relations: A Special Journey and Way Forward”. The Report makes an assessment of the multiple facets of bilateral relations and also point out the untapped potential and the importance of quick implementation of policies, projects, and programmes. During the webinar a Indo-Bangladesh Eminent Persons Group was also launched.

The panellists comprised of Prof Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Policy Dialogue Dr Prabir De, Economist, ASEAN India Center, New Delhi, Mr Gautam Lahiri, Journalist, Bangladesh, Dr Smruti S Pattanaik, Research Fellow, MP-IDSA. It was chaired by Amb. Rajiv Bhatia IFS Retd.

The dialogue enjoyed wide participation of people from the India and its neighbourhood. The webinar various developmental issues and future opportunities for further India-Bangladesh collaboration in various areas.