Bangladesh Foreign Minister Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali visited Prime Minister Shri Narenda Modi in New Delhi for the 3rd Meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) on 19 September 2014. 

Foreign Minister Ali expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Modi's leadership and relations with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. He also stressed the need for greater cooperation in the energy, power, infrastructure development, and tourism sectors. Furthermore, it was agreed that improved connectivity through development of transportation links ̶ including road, rail, air, shipping and inland waterways ̶ will facilitate economic cooperation and strengthen regional relations. 

The joint statement issued after the foreign ministers meeting noted 

Creation of Special Economic Zones

• Increased Indian investment in Bangladesh can reduce the trade gap and enhance Bangladesh’s exports to third countries 
• Indian companies will set up special economic zones and seek investments in automobile, manufacturing, and power sectors

Cooperation in Power Sector

• There is also huge potential for sourcing electricity from India, particularly hydropower in the northeastern region

Removing Barriers to Trade Facilitation 

• All trade barriers will be removed to boost bilateral trade 
• Both countries will promote balanced bilateral trade and address para-tariff and non-tariff barriers

Promoting Trade Facilitation

• Infrastructure of the Land Customs Stations/Land Ports and Integrated Check Posts will be upgraded and LCS-specific port restrictions will be examined 
• Standards harmonization, mutual recognition of certificates, and finalization of the Agreement for Cooperation between Bureau of Indian Standards and Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute will be addressed

Welcoming Border Haats 

• Welcomed progress of Kamlasagar-Tarapur, Srinagar-Purbomodhugram, Palbasti-Paschim Botuli, and Kamalpur-Kurmaghat (along the Bangladesh-Tripura border), as well as the opening of four new Border Haats at Bholaganj-Bholaganj, Nalikota-Saidabad, Shibbari-Bhuyapara, and Rinku-Baganbari (along the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border)

Improving Connectivity

• Connectivity between the countries should be improved and the proposed trial run of Dhaka-Shillong Bus Service this year was welcomed
• Urged easy fulfillment of customs and immigration requirements for passengers travelling by Maitree Express 

The 26-member Bangladesh delegation included seven secretaries of different ministries and senior officials of the National Board of Revenue, Ministry of Railways and other departments. The JCC meeting will identify other areas of bilateral cooperation and review progress of trade relations with other sectors. 

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