Remarks by Ambassador Mr. Ghanshyam Bhandari at the Seminar Organized jointly by the Embassy of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, and BIISS at the BIISS Auditorium
Dhaka, 12 March 2023
Theme: Celebrating 50 Years of Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship: Shared Vision of Peace, Progress and Prosperity
Chief Guest Hon. Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen, MP,
Rector of Foreign Service Academy Her Excellency Mashfee Binte Shams
Director General of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin,
Chair of the Institute for Integrated Development Studies and former Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission of Nepal Dr. Swarnim Wagle
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Friends from Media, and
Ladies and Gentlemen
Namaste, As-salamu Alaykum, and Good Afternoon!
At the outset, I join Director-General of this Institute Major General Habib Uddin in welcoming you all to this seminar organized to celebrate the 50 years of Nepal-Bangladesh friendship.
My sincere thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) for joining hands with the Embassy in putting this event together.
I express my deepest gratitude to Hon. Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen, for taking time to grace this Seminar as the Chief Guest. We are honoured to have you here, Your Excellency, as we deliberate on our fifty year-journey of friendship and cooperation.
I am equally grateful to Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams and Dr. Swarnim Wagle for agreeing to speak on the theme today. Given Ambassador Binte Shams’ seven year-long stint as Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal, Dr Wagle’s experiences of working as the Vice-Chairman of National Planning Commission and chief economic Advisor to UNDP, and their knowledge and expertise in national, sub-regional and regional issues, there could be no better presenters for this seminar.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests
The history of Nepal-Bangladesh relations can be traced back to times predating Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Even in those times, our societies and communities were interlinked through profound historical and socio-cultural linkages.
The relationship between our two countries is as ‘organic’ as the link between the majestic Himalayas – the water towers – and the Bay of Bengal – the water reservoir. It is as natural as the ever-flowing rivers between them.
It is said that the Himalayas are the ‘pulse of the planet’. Everything that happens there reverberates across the region and beyond.
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Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, on 8 April 1972, Nepal-Bangladesh friendship has flourished on the principles of cooperation, trust, and mutual respect.
Regular exchanges of high-level political visits and bilateral engagements have significantly contributed to the strengthening of our bilateral relations.
The economic and commercial ties between our two countries have been growing steadily.
Strong links at the cultural and linguistic levels continue to foster respect and mutual understanding between our societies and peoples.
Bangladesh is one of the preferred destinations for Nepali students to pursue higher education, especially in medical field. Currently, about 3000 Nepali students are studying at various universities and colleges across Bangladesh.
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Together we have weathered many challenges and stood by each other in times of needs, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a close and friendly neighbour, Nepal is happy to witness the phenomenal economic progress achieved by Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Hon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Nepal- Bangladesh collaboration also extends to regional and international forums, such as SAARC, BIMSTEC, United Nations, Non-aligned Movement, and Group of 77 and China, among others.
Our two countries share a common commitment to the values of global peace, progress, and prosperity. Currently, the first two largest troops and police contributing countries in UN peacekeeping operations, Bangladesh and Nepal continue to contribute to the noble cause of global peace and security.
Excellencies,
As we look to the next fifty years and beyond, there is a need to diversify the areas of cooperation.
The bilateral trade between Nepal and Bangladesh is increasing steadily. But we are yet to tap the full potential.
We must intensify our efforts to enhance our economic linkages.
I take this opportunity to thank the Government of Bangladesh for re-opening, after two decades, the import of all types of Nepali yarns to Bangladesh via Banglabandha Land Custom Station (LCS) in December 2022.
On investment, it is encouraging to note that Nepali and Bangladeshi investors have collaborated to invest in some joint venture projects. The signing of the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) in 2019 has opened avenues for further expansion of trade and investment opportunities.
Nepal’s hydropower potential and Bangladesh’s increasing energy needs provide ample opportunities for energy cooperation. The recent developments in the energy sector are encouraging.
We are effortful to ensure the import of power from Nepal to Bangladesh and realize the prospects of ‘win-win’ energy cooperation.
If materialized, this will be a much-needed springboard to take our bilateral relations, and in fact, the sub-regional cooperation, into next level.
Connectivity is a lifeline for sustainable economic partnership and for greater people-to-people contacts.
Currently, two airlines – Biman Bangladesh and Himalaya Airlines – are operating 11 direct flights per week between Kathmandu and Dhaka.
Enhanced connectivity including through roads, airways, waterways, and transmission lines will be critical to further materialize the prospects of economic cooperation.
Talking about connectivity, the negotiations on the movement of cargo and passenger vehicles under BBIN framework are moving progressively. Successful conclusion of the negotiations, by addressing each-other’s concerns, if any, will be a significant milestone towards achieving seamless road connectivity in the sub-region.
Tourism is yet another sector which offers a great deal of potential for both countries.
Over 25 thousand Bangladeshi tourists visited Nepal in 2022, which is close to the pre-pandemic level.
Our two countries offer unique and diverse touristic products such as Nepal’s majestic mountains, verdant valleys, and historical and archaeological sites and Bangladesh’s fertile plains, exquisite sea beaches, captivating mangrove forests, and cultural and historical sites.
Having said this, there is a need to connect our religious and archaeological sites, and eco-tourism and adventure destinations through tourism circuits in order to build stronger bonds between our peoples.
Finally, just like two ‘schoolmates of development’, Nepal and Bangladesh have similar opportunities and challenges in terms of their socio-economic development aspirations.
We are both set to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category by 2026.
Graduation is a long-held aspiration for both of our countries. However, the pandemic and the ramifications of geopolitical crises have further accentuated the challenges facing our countries.
But we must work together and push against this pushback.
To ensure a smooth, sustainable, and irreversible graduation, it is important that we share our experiences, lessons learned and best practices including during the current preparatory period.
This will be instrumental in attaining our shared vision of peace, progress, and prosperity.
To conclude, an anniversary is not just an occasion to take stock of the achievements and celebrate. It is also an occasion to reflect on the possibilities and plan better for the future.
I hope the fiftieth anniversary of Nepal-Bangladesh relationship becomes a watershed moment inspiring us to work more collaboratively and igniting action for more robust partnership.
I would like to, once again, express my sincere gratitude to Hon. Foreign Minister, all the esteemed speakers, and the guests for your invaluable time and contributions to this Seminar.
Thank you for your attention.