Bangladesh, India important stakeholders in peace, stability of shared region: Pranay Verma
Bangladesh and India must lead regional integration as South Asia’s two largest economies, he says
Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma has said Bangladesh and India both are more capable, confident, connected, and aspirational societies than they ever were before.
"We both are important stakeholders in the peace, stability and development of our shared region," he said, in a farewell note, stressing that cooperation between the two countries is critical to address shared challenges like climate change and environmental sustainability.
As the two largest economies of the region, the envoy said, they both have to be the anchors for closer regional integration.
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"Because we are so different today from our past, I also believe that we need a new, future-oriented agenda for our engagement," he said.
An agenda that is aligned with the new capabilities, new aspirations and new national development priorities, said the envoy, noting that an agenda that is driven by their strong cultural and economic linkages.
As two rapidly growing countries, he said their geographical proximity is an asset for both of the countries, not a liability and they must constantly endeavour to transform this proximity into new opportunities for both of the countries.
"I am hopeful that all well-wishers of India-Bangladesh relations will come together to build upon this shared vision and its realisation. I leave Bangladesh, feeling ever more optimistic about the future of our relationship," said the envoy.
Verma further said four years is a long time, but not long enough with the fondness and emotional attachment that he and his wife have developed for this country and its people.
The high commissioner said his wife, Manu and he will carry many indelible memories. "Many people touched our lives in remarkable ways, building bonds of friendship that will far outlast our diplomatic association with this country."
At a deeper level, he said they are emotionally connected by their shared sacrifices of 1971 during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
"As I leave Bangladesh on to my next assignment as the Ambassador of India to Belgium and the European Union, there are so many thoughts that come to my mind," he said.
