Confusion sets in as Bangladesh official says 36 deals were signed with India
bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/04/08/confusion-sets-in-as-bangladesh-official-says-36-deals-were-signed-with-india
Sumon Mahbub from New Delhi,
bdnews24.com
Published: 2017-04-08 22:28:52.0 BdST Updated: 2017-04-09 00:23:39.0 BdST
Hours after the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' announcement that 22 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been signed, Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque has put the number at 36, creating confusion.
Gopal Bagley, spokesman for India's Ministry of External Affairs, earlier tweeted on Saturday afternoon: "The two leaders witness exchange of 4 agreements/MoUs out of 22 signed."
The ministry also published a list of the 22 deals on its website.
But the joint statement released by the two countries says 34 bilateral documents, including business documents, are being signed, exchanged, adopted and handed over during the visit.
Confusion thickened after Haque told the media in New Delhi Saturday evening that 36 MoUs, agreements and standard operation procedures (SOPs) were signed between the two countries.
When Indian reporters asked Haque about the conflicting numbers, he advised them to contact the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Asked what the 36 deals were all about, a smiling Haque said, "We are still counting the deals."
About the pact on India’s $500 million loans to Bangladesh for defence procurement, Haque claimed that Bangladesh was not bound to buy military hardware only from India under the deal.
Three other MoUs on defence cooperation were also signed. "Training, raising capabilities and cooperation - these things are there (in the MoUs),” said Haque.
About the one-on-one meeting between Hasina and Modi, the foreign secretary said, "The two leaders held the meeting for 30 minutes. Though I was not there, I've heard that they discussed many important issues in a friendly environment."
In the bilateral meeting, Modi assured Hasina of India's support in Bangladesh's demand for global recognition of Genocide Day on Mar 25.
They also discussed connectivity between Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Thailand.
After the meeting, they witnessed the signing of the deals, unveiled the Hindi translation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 'The Unfinished Memoirs', and inaugurated a road in New Delhi renamed after Bangabandhu.
Then Hasina joined a ceremonial luncheon hosted by Modi.
In the afternoon, they attended a programme to honour the Indian soldiers who died in Bangladesh's Liberation War.
Hasina then called on Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari at his residence.
Foreign Secretary Haque said Hasina and Ansari discussed 'some other issues' in addition to the day's other programmes, which 'could not be disclosed'.
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A political gimmick played by Modi to fool Indians where SHW aided. BD has given up nothing, lost nothing. But Modi has received ammo to breast-thump with general elections round the corner.
