India 2018

318 India 2018
Bangladesh: India-Bangladesh ties have witnessed a high trajectory sustained
by high level interaction between the two countries which continued in 2016-
17. Prime Minister of Bangladesh paid a visit in April 2017. During the visit, 22
agreements/MoUs in the fields of defence, space, nuclear energy, ICT, cyber
security, development cooperation, judicial cooperation, transport, mass media,
etc. were signed. A large number of commercial agreements in the energy, power,
education and health were also signed. A new concessional line of credit of $4.5
billion for investment in priority sectors in Bangladesh was also announced. A
number of cross border connectivity links were launched or announced, namely
a bus service connecting Kolkata-Khulna-Dhaka, a train service between Kolkata
and Khulna and a rail link between Radhikapur in India with Birol in
Bangladesh. During their talks, the two Prime Ministers undertook a
comprehensive review of all aspects of the bilateral relationship, including
review of implementation of decisions taken during the visit of Indian Prime
Minister to Bangladesh in June 2015.
Bhutan: India and Bhutan share close and friendly relations characterized by
deep mutual trust and understanding. The year 2016-17 saw sustained progress
in all areas of cooperation, including hydropower, transport, communication,
infrastructure, health, education, culture, IT industry, agriculture, defence and
security related matters. The momentum of bilateral ties was carried forward
by high level visits and official interactions in different areas of cooperation.
Work on development and hydro-power projects progressed at a steady pace
in 2016-17. Under the Government of India assistance package of ` 4500 crores
towards the 11th Five Year Plan of Bhutan (2013-18), GoI has committed ` 2,800
crore as Project Tied Assistance (PTA), ` 850 crore for Programme Grant and
` 850 crore for Small Development Projects (SDPs). Further, GoI has committed
Rs 500 crore as Economic Stimulus Package. Apart from these, GoI also provides
other subsidies/refunds to RGoB such as against supply of LPG/SKO and Excise
Duty Refund to Bhutan and for importing power from Chukha Hydroelectric
Project. This is in addition to the overall committed assistance.
China: Increased interactions and engagements continued to provide forwardlooking
momentum to India-China bilateral relations during 2016-17. The G-20
and BRICS Summits providing opportunities for enhanced interaction at the
leadership level and also exchanges at the working level between the two
countries across the political, economic, security and cultural sphere. Indian
Prime Minister met Chinese President on several occasions on the sidelines of
multilateral events (G-20 Summit in Hamburg in July 2017, SCO Summit in
Astana in June 2017 and the BRICS Summit in Xiamen in September 2017).
Maldives: The India-Maldives relationship continued to illustrate the
'neighbours first' and 'India first' policies of the two governments. President's
third visit to India in April 2016 since assuming office, saw the two countries
agree on a comprehensive Defence Action Plan and five other Agreements.
Minister of State for External Affairs visited Maldives from February 21-22,
2017 as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister.