The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today said that even as his 2-day visit to Bangladesh was ending, he felt the real journey begins now. He said the welcome accorded to him, was in effect, a welcome to 125 crore Indians.
He was addressing a gathering comprising members of the Indian community, eminent Bangladeshis including political personalities, cultural personalities, business persons, academicians and Dhaka University students. He said that while people thought we were just near (paas-paas) to each other, now the world would have to acknowledge that we are not just paas-paas but also saath-saath (together).
He said he was especially happy that a Mukti Jodha President, in the presence of the Bangabandhu's daughter, had presented the Bangladesh Liberation War honour to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which Shri Modi had the honour to receive. He said that as a young man, his first exposure to politics was in the form of a Satyagrahi in support of the liberation struggle in Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister said the world rarely notices developing countries. He said Bangladesh has had to often face natural disasters. But nevertheless, he said, Bangladesh has done unparalleled work in many fields. He said the work done by Bangladesh in the garment sector is well appreciated. He said that he was happy to hear this on a recent visit to China, for the fact that a developing country had achieved such a feat. He said that if Bangladesh prospers, India too would benefit.
The Prime Minister said many states in India could learn from Bangladesh on several social indicators, such as infant mortality rate. He said when Bangladesh progresses, India feels proud, because Indian soldiers too have shed blood for the birth of this country.
The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her single-minded focus on economic development. He said a firm foundation is being laid for Bangladesh's economic progress.
The Prime Minister said India and Bangladesh are both blessed to be young nations, with young dreams. He said a nation with such leadership and such strength, like Bangladesh, would progress inexorably.
The Prime Minister said the era of expansionism in geopolitics has ended. He said the world now needs vikaswaad (development), not vistaarwaad (expansionism).
Referring to the Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries, he described it as one which bonded hearts together. The Prime Minister said both India and Bangladesh wanted to establish the Buddhist circuit - and where there was Buddha, there could be no Yuddha. He quoted a newspaper editorial that said that the Land Boundary Agreement was equivalent to the fall of the Berlin Wall. He said the world would have to acknowledge that we are people who find ways to move ahead.
The Prime Minister said the younger generation deserves the chance to achieve its aspirations. He appreciated the contribution of the Dhaka University to Bangladesh. He said that India would work with Dhaka University on oceanography, to build the Ocean Economy.
The Prime Minister said SAARC countries were keen to establish connectivity at the last SAARC summit - but then - not every country is Bangladesh. He said India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan had now decided to move ahead in this direction. He said the European Union had developed a lot because of better connectivity. He said today no country could work alone, as the whole world has become interdependent. He said India and Bangladesh had recognized this fact, and this was reflected in the 22 agreements that had been signed during this visit. He congratulated the farsighted leadership of Bangladesh for accomplishing this.
The Prime Minister said a satellite photo would reveal that the SAARC countries were still dark - had no access to electricity. He said if India Nepal Bhutan and Bangladesh worked together, this darkness would be dispelled. He said recently Bangladesh helped India transport equipment for a power plant in Tripura, and now Bangladesh was receiving 100 MW of power from that power plant.
The Prime Minister spoke of shared potential in sectors such as solar energy and space.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh had done a lot for women empowerment. He said this is a matter of pride. He recalled billboards in Dhaka featuring the woman cricket player, Salma Khatun. He added that the rise of the Bangladesh cricket team reflects the potential of Bangladesh. He said that he is proud that he has come to walk together with this Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that some tasks were still to be accomplished. He said he believed and panchhi (birds), pawan (wind), and paani (water) needed no visa - and therefore - the Teesta issue had to be solved with a human approach. Referring to unfortunate incidents on the border, he said it was the responsibility of both sides to ensure that a solution is found. He said illegal human trafficking and fake currency were issues which Bangladesh had expressed an intention to resolve.
The Prime Minister called for reform of the United Nations. He said India still had not got a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. He said this was a country which never fought to gain land. He said 75,000 Indian soldiers had sacrificed their lives for others in the First World War, and 90,000 in the Second World War. He referred to India's role in peacekeeping operations across the world. He said Indian soldiers had fought alongside Mukti Jodhas as well, for Bangladesh. Yet India had still not got a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Referring to the Pakistani prisoners of war after the 1971 war, he said India released 90,000 soldiers, because it was only interested in the welfare and progress of Bangladesh. He said this incident, in itself should have been enough to convince the world that India should get a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
The Prime Minister said that on the first day itself, his Government had invited SAARC leaders, indicating its intention to progress together with SAARC.
He said he was happy that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh had declared zero tolerance for terrorism. He said terrorism is an enemy of humanity, and therefore all humanitarian forces had to unite to fight it.
The Prime Minister said his vision and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vision matched perfectly - that of development.

West Bengal Assembly Election 2021: Phase 4 voting today, PM Modi addressed public meeting in Bardhaman
Sir, the enthusiasm and enthusiasm of the public at the Bardhaman rally is a sign that now the enlightened people of Bengal have decided to hand over the power to the BJP by relying on your leadership.#Ebar200Paar pic.twitter.com/4J3pgJbURQ
— Kishor Jangid 🇮🇳 (@kishorjangir_) April 12, 2021
Mr. PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, your tireless & selfless versatile leadership,magnets sea of people to shore at every of your meetings to "See, Listen & Follow" your leadership.
— Venkatesapalani Thangavelu (@Ven070670) April 12, 2021
WB people had decided to Elect BJP to Experience Double Engine growth
BJP will Win Big at WB in 2021
Bengal is with BJP.
— Harshadha Shirodkar 🇮🇳 (@shirodkarharshu) April 12, 2021
The enthusiasm among the people of Bengal clearly indicates the saffron wave blowing in Bengal.
Lotus is shining in every part of Bengal. Bengal supports @narendramodi ji.#Ebar200Paar
Sir, This Electrifying atmosphere reflects the enthusiasm & support for you from people of bengal in Bardhaman. They have given Congress, Left and TMC 70 years. But, these parties didn’t fulfil people’s aspirations. But BJP will fulfill their aspirations and give them New Bengal
— Nishant🇮🇳 (@iNishant4) April 12, 2021
Indeed, due to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Baba Ambedkar, India got Jal Vidyut policy. Bardham is called Dhan ka Katora. But there everybody is in misery. There is no storage provision and no right price for produce. Only Didi's syndicate is earning.
— Dr. Swapnil Mantri (@drswapnilmantri) April 12, 2021
In #MaDurga & Mahavir➡️ Bardhaman land famous for Rice, sweet talk & Sweet Mihidana @PMOIndia brings out bitterness of M0mta highlighting all that's wrong & needs to be corrected for #SonarBangla
— Rajagopalan Narayanan (@nrajabpcla) April 12, 2021
Kalita Manjhi onstage reflects grassroots aspirationshttps://t.co/HZDXDBSatz pic.twitter.com/KHN7Wqosh9
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
— Ram Kumar S (@RamKuma19784093) April 12, 2021
PM Modi: Pradhan Sevak of New India, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Excellent Modi jee government administration leadership motivations dedication development and sacrifice jaihind
🇮🇳 What a Spectacular Campaign by #Hon #PM @narendramodi Ji led @BJP4India ! 3 Massive Rallies Back to Back in a Day🙏 The level of energy he possesses in him is Unbelievable👌
— Sangitha Varier (@VarierSangitha) April 12, 2021
Indeed #Hon #PMModi Ji is the Best PRADHAN SEVAK 🙏 #MyPMMyPride 🇮🇳 #Ebar200Paar
Under PM Modi, India becoming politically decisive and economically self- reliant
There was time when the sports ministers could hardly run. Gr8 to see now Ministers in the Modi government leading by example. Kudos Minister Rijiju for inspiring the youth and athletes through personal fitness and workout.
— Dr Ashutosh Misra (@ashutoshmisra70) April 12, 2021
Kudos @narendramodi ji for introducing #FarmersBill which has proved to be a game changer for every farmer in India. Modi Ji has ensured that brokers, middlemen and agents will not be able to exploit Farmers any more. pic.twitter.com/mnizij7Hje
— Arun Deshpande (@ArunDeshpande20) April 9, 2021
India under PM Modi's leadership becomes the fastest country to administer 10 crore doses of #COVID vaccines in a record time of 85 days. #TikaUtsav
— IT'ZZ G@BB@R SINGH (@GSingh75278370) April 11, 2021
मोदी है तो मुमकिन है 🙏 https://t.co/ABqNnBwztE
@nitin_gadkari 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 my sincere thanks to Shri Nitin Gadkari under veteran leadership of Shri Modi ji for this brilliant piece of work NE 3. Save more than 2 hours in each to and fro from Delhi to Partapur (Meerut). Thanks a lot, earlier it was nightmare to drive. Amazing 😻
— Sanjeev Balyan (@SanjeevBalyan10) April 10, 2021
Unicorns in #India :
— Shalini Bajpai😷 Stay Safe (@sbajpai2811) April 12, 2021
It was an historic week for India’s technology industry. In the space of 4 days, the country minted at least 6 new startups with a valuation of $1 bn or more -- what techies call unicorns because they’re supposed to be such rarities.https://t.co/KPN9nLphbe
PM @narendramodi Ji calls '#TikaUtsav beginning of second big war against #COVID19, suggests four points
— Zahid Patka (@zahidpatka) April 12, 2021
Each One, Vaccinate One
Each One,Treat One
Each One, Save One
Creating ' micro containment zones '
pic.twitter.com/hbQB8u9gmChttps://t.co/L720sVsgZi@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/9czUazy0kj
TOI Edit Page : The small and the big of it: Initiatives like PM’s Pariksha Pe Charcha set fresh benchmarks for leadership in India https://t.co/VzJUiklOh7
— 🇮🇳 Padmaja (@prettypadmaja) April 12, 2021
#India became the fastest country in the world to reach the 100 million vaccination mark, taking just 85 days to achieve the milestone.
— Uday Singh (@UdayKr_Bhumihar) April 11, 2021
With this, India has now administered shots to ovr 10 cr people & ranks 3rd in the world in terms of total vaccinationshttps://t.co/XTYIS0IF09
India fastest in world to administer 100 million Covid vaccine shots (85 days)
— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) April 10, 2021
In comparison, the US administered 92M and China administered 61M in the same period.https://t.co/skmZyqhWgN via @timesofindia pic.twitter.com/QlkDl8YV0N