PM Modi, Sheikh Hasina jointly inaugurate Chilahati-Haldibari rail link between India and Bangladesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Bangladesh is key pillar of India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Participating at virtual summit with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, PM Modi said that cooperation between the two neighbouring countries has been good notwithstanding coronavirus pandemic.
We feel proud to celebrate "Bijoy Dibosh" with you to mark Bangladesh's victory over anti-liberation forces," he said, adding that "it has been key priority for me to strengthen ties with Bangladesh.
Hasina in her remark called a true friend and commend PM Modi for the manner in which his government has countered Covid-19. She paid homage to the 3 million martyrs who laid their lives. "I pay tribute to the members of the Indian armed forces martyred in the 1971 war. I pay my gratitude to the govt and people of India who extended wholehearted support for the cause of our liberation," Hasina said.
The new route is expected to enhance connectivity to Assam and West Bengal from Bangladesh. The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link was part of the broad gauge main route from Kolkata to Siliguri. However, the war of 1965 effectively cut off all the railway links. Initially, the rail link will facilitate the movement of goods cargo. Passenger movement will also commence on the development of infrastructure on both sides, they said.