India gives power supply, get Internet bandwith from Bangladesh

Agartala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated by remote control 100 mw power supply from Tripura' Palatana to Bangladesh.

At the same time, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina provided 10 GB Internet bandwidth to India and the entire programme was held through video-conferencing.

"In this age of interdependence, the two countries would further strengthen its ties and it is a significant day that both are promoting the ways of development," Modi said.

Hasina said that "the relation between the countries has further consolidated through the supply of power and Internet bandwith."

"Bangladesh would observe its National Day on March 26 and I pay my respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh. The era of good relations began during the time of 'Bangabandhu' between the two countries which still continues," Modi said.

He was referring to 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh and the father of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The eight north-eastern states would be immensely benefited with the opening of the third International Internet gateway, he said, adding that Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan have made considerable development in road links.

"Now India and Bangladesh is connected through water, surface communication and air. We want to be connected with Bangladesh though space also," the Prime Minister said. He said the festival of Holi has started in India and Bangladesh and both would be coloured with new colours.

Modi congratulated India and Bangladesh teams for the World Twenty20 tie between the two on Wednesday evening at Bengaluru. Hasina, in her speech, said, "We always remember India's cooperation during the liberation movement in 1971."

On power supply, she said during her visit to Tripura in 2012, she discussed the matter of getting power from the state's Palatana project. Hasina said her country was getting 500 MW power from India now and both the countries made considerable development in the field of cooperation through roads, railways and power.

She also thanked Prime Minister Modi and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar for their cooperation. Sarkar, at the invitation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, also joined the programme from here through video-conferencing.