The president's office, Official residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Sonowal was inaugurating the two-day India-Bangladesh Stakeholders' Meet here on Tuesday."A climate of mutual trust and confidence, respect for each other's sensitivities and concerns, and peace and stability are essential to realise the enormous potential in our relations," Sonowal said. The political and business leadership of both the countries must work on common interest to achieve common goals, he added.The Chief Minister said after the signing, exchanging and adoption of several bilateral agreements between the two countries, the potential for growth of trade between north-eastern states and Bangladesh had increased manifold.Stating that tea and petroleum products earlier reached Chattogram and Kolkata Ports through the Brahmaputra-Padma-Meghna riverine waterways as well as railway lines passing through present day Bangladesh, Sonowal said revival of this communication network would facilitate economic growth of the region.He urged delegates to iron out all issues to finalise the standard operating procedures (SOP) to ensure speedy implementation of agreements, which would ensure access of to Chattogram and Mongla Ports of Bangladesh for the northeast, and execution of the BBIN motor vehicle agreement.Sonowal said the Centre's Act East Policy had given renewed vigour to development in the northeast, turning the region into the centre of New India's growth vision and implementation within a short time.He lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina for their efforts to forge a more meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship.The Chief Minister also pointed to the historical relationship between the people of Assam and Bangladesh, which was based on shared culture, heritage, literature and language.( With inputs from IANS )

The President's OfficeFOLLOW

The president's office, Latest News

The ongoing feud between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and its cricketers is resolved after the board officials agreed to "nearly most" of the demands made by the players. ...

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has called for restoration of the Brahmaputra-Barak-Padma-Meghna riverine waterways to take forward the outcome of the India-Bangladesh Stakeholders' Meet. ...

The Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA) executive chairman Tony Irish has thrown his weight behind the striking Bangladesh players. ...

Sports broadcaster Star Sports has roped in legendary cricketer Virender Sehwag to build up anticipation and excitement around the upcoming India-Bangladesh T20I series. ...

If local artisans are to be believed, they are passing through the worst crisis of their lives with the global slowdown impacting their export orders and the recently levied taxes on textiles opening up export avenues for neighbouring nations. ...

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member women squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. ...

Bangladesh Minister of Commerce Tipu Munshi has said India is not only its closest neighbour but also a friend for ever. ...

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has called for joint efforts to boost growth of India and Bangladesh through expeditious implementation of agreements inked for reviving the multi-model communication network ...