C T Online Desk: Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen mentioned that Bangladesh and North East India are much more than just next-door neighbours.
“The North-Eastern states played an important role during our War of Liberation in 1971. Economically, these States, particularly Assam, is growing fast and is at the heart of India’s Act East Policy in which Bangladesh also figures prominently, as Bangladesh enjoys unique strategic locations as a land bridge between South Asia and South-East Asia,” he said.
Foreign Minister Momen was addressing at the inaugural session of the 2nd round of Sylhet-Silchar Festival held at a hotel in Sylhet on Friday evening. The first edition of the Sylhet-Silchar festival was held on December 2-4 in 2022 in Silchar, Assam.
In his speech, Momen hoped that Sylhet-Silchar Festival will play a very effective role in further strengthening relations, especially with the North-east region by showcasing our common culture, similar cuisine, and shared aspirations.
The festival aims to promote cultural and people-to-people contact linking the two cities: Sylhet and Silchar.
In the inaugural session a number of speakers including Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs & Education of India and Ram Prasad Paul, Deputy Speaker of Tripura Legislative Assembly also made their valued remarks.
Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in his remarks noted that Bangladesh and North East States of India can work together for the betterment of people.
He expressed his satisfaction on the recent progress made on connectivity projects undertaken by the two governments.
The Indian State Minister highly appreciated the present Government in Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for strengthening relations with India and achieving remarkable socio-economic development made during the last fourteen years.
All the speakers appreciated the initiative of holding Sylhet-Silchar festival and noted that meaningful and effective cooperation and interactions between Bangladesh and North East States of India are mutually beneficial for the people of both regions.
During the festival people from both Sylhet and Silchar would showcase their cultural affinity and similarities. Almost hundred people from Silchar have crossed the border to attend this festival in Sylhet.
Number of cultural teams from Sylhet and Silchar are expected to showcase their cultural performances. The festival is also organizing a culinary festival.
Earlier the panelists from both Bangladesh and India delivered their valued remarks in the sessions of Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue.
In the sessions, the policymakers, experts, scholars and practitioners have adequately addressed the issues of mutual interest and highlighted the opportunities and challenges to foster a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership between Bangladesh and India.
During the valedictory session the ‘Sylhet Declaration’ was adopted. Sylhet declaration is the outcome document of the deliberations made at the 11th round of Bangladesh-India friendship dialogue held in Sylhet.
In the declaration it was incorporated that the 11th round of Bangladesh-India dialogue has decided to put efforts to consolidate the long standing friendship between the two nations by fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership.
The dialogue has provided an opportunity to build upon achievement of previous round and chart a roadmap for further engagements-providing a stronger and more vibrant Bangladesh-India relationship.
