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.

PM Modi’s Speech at the India Energy Week 2023 showcases India’s rising Prowess as a Green-energy Hub
ऊर्जा क्षेत्र में इथेनॉल सम्मिश्रण कार्यक्रम पर आपका प्रमुख फोकस रहा है इसीलिए 2013-14 से इथेनॉल उत्पादन में 6 गुना बढ़त है. इस कार्यक्रम ने न केवल भारत की ऊर्जा सुरक्षा को बढ़ाया बल्कि इससे 318 लाख मीट्रिक टन CO2 उत्सर्जन में कमी और 54,000 Cr की विदेशी मुद्रा की बचत भी शामिल है।
— Rudra Pratap Dubey 🇮🇳 (@Rudrapdubey_) February 6, 2023
It's a very good efforts of Hon'ble @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji,@BJP4India . We are glad to hear that, Today, there has been a change in the quality of life of crores of people in India. #IndiaEnergyWeek🙏🙏
— Anita Devi (@anitadevi1020) February 6, 2023
through #SolarPower, Cars on #E20, #l will all be on show as the Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji inaugurates the #IndiaEnergyWeek at 1245 from #BIEC Bengaluru. Come be a part of the future
— Nisha2 Sharma (@sharma_nisha2) February 6, 2023
#IndiaDrivesE20
Watch live @DDNews
Commendable achievement... Congratulations 👏👏👍 India 🇮🇳🙏!
— Whiplash (@Sanjay89741853) February 6, 2023
A revolutionary initiative in form of E20 Cooking Fuel, unbottled and secured...vide Indoor Solar Cooking System !
Thankyou PM sir and the brains behind the innovative solution !
🙏🙏🙏
#IndiaEnergyWeek, Hon’ble PM Sh. @Narendramodi ji will launch #E20 in India. Rollout starts 2 months ahead of schedule covering 11 states, 15 Cities & more than 100 Retail outlets #IndiaDrivesE20 Commendable focus and execution by all #EnergySoldiers has made this possible
— Raj Roy (@RajRoy75853707) February 6, 2023
At the outset, I thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi ji & Hon’ble Union Minister for Petroleum & Energy Sri Hardeep Singh Puri for opting to host the India Energy Week in Bangalore, where there is the highest number of power research centers.#IndiaEnergyWeek
— Rudhra Kumar (@Rudhra_Kumar740) February 6, 2023
#GoGreen
— Zahid Patka (@zahidpatka) February 6, 2023
PM @narendramodi Ji launched petrol blended with 20% ethanol, unveil a solar&conventional energy powered cooking system and inaugurated the #IndiaEnergyWeek
Is aimed to showcase India's rising prowess as an energy transition powerhousehttps://t.co/sA07lO8b8m@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/sazKxb1ybY
Creation of Future-ready Infra Under The Modi Government Giving Impetus to the Multi-sectoral Growth of the Indian Economy
#superb..!! @narendramodi ji hai to mumkin hai. #ModiHaiToMumkinHai #NarendraModi @AshwiniVaishnaw kudos to u too.!! https://t.co/J7IIfoNu3o
— Mave Rick 🇮🇳 (@beingunique22) February 6, 2023
Thanks to Sh @narendramodi ji for allocating 1,057 cr for 9 New Railway Lines in TN.
— Sakthivel Arumugam (@SakthivelHGH) February 6, 2023
The new rail lines will connect Mamallapuram, Puducherry, Ranipet, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri & Dhanushkodi with rest of the state. It will boost tourism
& eco activity in the state. pic.twitter.com/KqMCbrtyHx
Narendra Damodardas Modi Ji’s name will be etched in Golden letters so future generations know how he turned around Bharat to once again become a land of punyabhumi and woken up a billion people to achieve greatness.
— Life🌻 (@iMuskaan07) February 5, 2023
My PM @narendramodi My Pride 🇮🇳🙏🏼@mygovindia pic.twitter.com/QSLJEy38PD
Be it @aaipunairport @BLRAirport India is MODIfied .@narendramodi ji Proud to see city lit brightly with National Colours proud Punekar @JM_Scindia time the airport is named Veer Savarkar airport. Bharat Mata ki Jai ! Jai Hind !
— Shriragh (@sriragh5) February 5, 2023
🇮🇳 SBI has posted such fantastic Q3 results (Oct - Dec 2022) !
— 🇮🇳 Sangitha Varier 🚩 (@VarierSangitha) February 6, 2023
Profit has increased by a huge 68% over previous year !
Kudos #Hon #PM @narendramodi Ji @nsitharaman Ji led @BJP4India Govt!
You’ll have steered our Nation splendidly thro the most difficult times 🙏#MyPMMyPride pic.twitter.com/MZFeCE4yMY
That rare time in modern #India when PM @narendramodi has pulled off near impossible:
— विजेंद्र Vijendra🇮🇳 (@Vijendra1Verma) February 6, 2023
To turn national apathy into joint, mass hope - even excitement - that India could be turned into a fully developed nation within a short span of next 25 years.
All-Indian-hands-on-deck needed.
#NewIndia is poised to lead the #techade for the world, backed by world-class infrastructure, digital talent pool and purposeful innovation that deliver sustainable outcomes for a better future.@narendramodi @PiyushGoyal @nsitharaman #recesssion #recessionproof pic.twitter.com/smREPEBulG
— Uday Birje 🇮🇳 (@uday_birje) February 6, 2023
India have risen under the phenomenal leadership of PM Modi to lead the humanitarian efforts at global level making every true Indian feel proud. ✌️👍
— arun (@SmnArun) February 6, 2023
Jai hind ! 🙏🇮🇳🙏 pic.twitter.com/c8Z36ttYN2