India and Bangladesh on Thursday, Dec 17,  sealed seven agreements to broaden cooperation, and restored a cross-border rail link snapped in the 1965 war with Pakistan.

The restoration of the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link and signing of the pacts, providing for cooperation in areas of hydrocarbons, agriculture and textiles among others, came at a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. Modi said the holding of the summit immediately after the celebration of Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) assumed “special significance” and noted that Bangladesh is a key pillar of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

“Today, when Bangladesh is celebrating 49 years of independence, I pay homage to the soldiers of both countries who laid down their lives,” he said. The two leaders are slated to meet three months later to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s tallest leader , Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The two PMs jointly inaugurated a digital exhibition on Sheikh Mujibur and Mahatma Gandhi. The inauguration of the old rail route between Sealdah and Darjeeling used to be taken by the old Darjeeling Mail.                 Source: Tribune India