Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday assured Bangladesh of help in resolving the Rohingya issue at the earliest.

He came up with the assurance when Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal met him at his office in New Delhi, said a planning ministry press release.

Kamal was attending the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention arranged by the government of India in New Delhi.

During the meeting, Kamal urged the Indian finance minister to extend support to Bangladesh so that safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas is ensured.

Jaitley highly lauded the recent massive advancement and progress of Bangladesh achieved by the Awami League government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in different socioeconomic fields, the release said.

Listing several index where Bangladesh is advancing fast, especially the economic growth of 7.86 percent and life expectancy of 72 years, Jaitley talked about the present cross-border connectivity development between the two countries, especially the road and rail connectivity, the release added.

He also praised the planned development which the present Bangladesh government has been pursuing side by side the present success of Bangladesh in cricket. “Bangladesh needs to focus on connectivity and institutional development to have a leap in the development areas.”

Kamal said Hasina pursues a policy to build multifaceted relations with India, driven by genuine goodwill, trust, understanding and mutual respect.

He mentioned that Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its relations with India.

Extending his thanks to Jaitley for supporting the planned development of Bangladesh by giving approvals to the projects to be financed under the Indian Line of Credit, Kamal said the economies of India and Bangladesh go hand in hand.

In response, Jaitley said if Bangladesh and India are well connected through road and rail networks, it will be beneficial for both the countries, as it will create economic opportunities for the people of the two countries. “Bangladesh is secure with its border with India, and no threat is possessed there.”

Kamal informed the Indian finance minister about the Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100.

“Three things are most important for human being, firstly, air for breathing; secondly, water for life; and thirdly, agriculture for food security. Fresh and clean water are the major components for all these three areas,” he added.

Kamal said more than 80 transborder rivers and water bodies shared by different African nations were being considered for reserving water.

In this regard, Kamal requested Jaitley to help Bangladesh take similar initiatives for the transboundary rivers and lakes to deal with the future possible water shortage in Bangladesh, the press release said. 

He informed the Indian finance minister that Bangladesh would start capital dredging in the major rivers. Bangladesh needed support from India to this end.

In response, Jaitley assured Kamal that India would stand by Bangladesh in ensuring shared water bodies to be dredged on both sides.