PM thanks Sheikh Hasina, Oppn after historic agreement comes into being

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina soon after Parliament unanimously passed the constitutional amendment for operationalising the 41-year-old India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).

He termed it as the collective will of the nation to build constructive relations with neighbours. Haisna said passing of the bill was a huge diplomatic success and thanked “everyone involved in the process”.

Modi also thanked leaders of all Opposition parties in India as well as the allies for their support and said a “historic milestone” has been reached in India-Bangladesh ties. He also spoke to chief ministers of bordering states to thank them for support to the bill that provides for exchange of territories with Bangladesh.

The Lok Sabha, showing rare unanimity, passed the Constitution (119th Amendment) Bill to allow the operationalisation of the LBA between Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandh in 1974.

Prime Minister said the amendment passed ensures a permanent settlement of land boundary with Bangladesh and resolution of long-pending boundary issues.

In the Lok Sabha, Modi walked up to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her party’s Leader in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge, and thanked them for their support. He also called up leaders of Opposition parties, like AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, DMK chief M Karunanidhi and BSP supremo Mayawati to thank them.