Dhaka, Jun 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Land Boundary Agreement ratified between India and Bangladesh was an agreement to join hearts and lessen the distances between the two nations that are not just "paas-paas" but also "saath saath".
Addressing intellectuals in Dhaka University at the end of his two-day visit on Sunday, Modi said if in one sentence he is to describe ties: "People think that we are 'paas-paas' but now the world will have to accept that we are not just 'paas paas' but 'saath-saath'," he said to loud applause.
On the LBA, Modi also quoted a newspaper editorial that said that the agreement was equivalent to the fall of the Berlin Wall. He asserted that the world will have to acknowledge that "we are people who find ways to move ahead."
Prime Minister also attacked Pakistan accusing it of creating "nuisance" and "constantly" troubling India by promoting terrorism.
The Prime Minister's sharp criticism came during the course of his address at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre here when he vowed to jointly combat with Bangladesh terrorism in the region.
"Pakistan aaye din (constantly) disturbs India, jo naako dum la deta hai (creates nuisance), terrorism ko badhawa (deta hai)...Ki ghatnaayein ghatthi rehti hain (promotes terrorism and such incidents keep recurring)," Modi said in his address to Dhaka University.
Recalling that 90,000 Pakistani prisoners of war were in India's captivity during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, Modi said, "if we had a diabolic mindset, we don't know then what decision we would have taken."
"Terrorism has no boundaries. India has been troubled by it for the last 40 years. So many innocent people have died and what did those associated with terrorism gain and what have they given to the world...Terrorism has no values, no principles, no traditions and it has only one motive and that is enmity against humanity," he said.
A Joint Declaration issued on the last day of Modi's maiden two-day visit to Bangladesh reaffirmed the two countries' "unequivocal and uncompromising position against extremism and terrorism in all forms and manifestations."
The two sides also committed to cooperate with each other by sharing information about groups and persons indulging in terrorism.
"They reiterated their commitment that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activity inimical to the other," the declaration said.
In his address, the Prime Minister came out strongly against expansionism, saying there is no place for it in today's world.
"The World has changed, there was a time when may be expansionism was used to be the symbol of a country's power as to which one is expanding how much and reaching which place...But times have changed. Now in this era there is no place for expansionism and the world wants development not expansionism and this is the basic vision.
Making a strong pitch for reforms of the UN and its Security Council, Modi said India has still not got a permanent seat in the UNSC.
"India is a country which never fought to gain land. 75,000 Indian soldiers had sacrificed their lives for others in the First World War, and 90,000 in the Second World War," he said.
The Prime Minister also referred to India's role in peacekeeping operations across the world, noting that Indian soldiers had fought alongside 'Mukti Jodhas' (freedom fighters) as well for Bangladesh.
"Yet India has still not got a permanent seat on the UN Security Council," Modi said.
The Prime Minister said that the return of Pakistani PoWs itself should have been enough to convince the world that India should get a permanent seat in the UNSC.
On the settlement of the 41-year-old land boundary dispute by swapping of documents regarding the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), he said, "If people feel LBA is a pact of few kilometres of the land it is not true, it is a meeting of hearts rather than just an agreement in the world where all battles were fought for land.
On the long-pending Teesta water-sharing deal, Modi said the issue has to be solved with a humanitarian perspective.
"Water issues need to be resolved from humanitarian perspective. I am confident we will be able to do so," he said, adding that, "It is the responsibility of both sides to ensure that a solution is found."
The Prime Minister, who held bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina after which 22 pacts were signed on Saturday, said, "while people thought we were just near (paas-paas) to each other, now the world would have to acknowledge that we are not just paas-paas but also saath-saath (together)."
Winding up his two-day visit, Modi said though his present trip has ended, he felt the "real journey begins now."
His hour-long address, heard with rapt attention by members of the Indian community, eminent Bangladeshis including political personalities, cultural personalities, business persons, academicians and Dhaka University students here, was repeatedly applauded.
Modi said he was happy that Prime Minister Hasina had declared zero tolerance for terrorism. He said terrorism is an enemy of humanity and therefore all humanitarian forces had to unite to fight it.
The Prime Minister said his vision and Premier Hasina's vision matched perfectly -- that of development.
Modi said many states in India could learn from Bangladesh on several social indicators, such as infant mortality rate.
Modi also congratulated Hasina for her "single-minded focus on economic development." He said a firm foundation is being laid for Bangladesh's economic progress.
The Prime Minister said SAARC countries were keen to establish connectivity at the last SAARC summit -- but then -- not every country is Bangladesh. He said India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan had now decided to move ahead in this direction.
Noting that no country could work alone as the whole world had become interdependent, Modi said the European Union had developed a lot because of better connectivity.
He said India and Bangladesh had recognised this fact, and this was reflected in the 22 agreements that had been signed during his visit here.
The Prime Minister, in his address, also spoke of shared potential in sectors such as solar energy and space.
Talking about cooperation in SAARC, the Prime Minister said on the first day itself, his government had invited SAARC leaders and indicated his intention to progress.
"The dream I have for India is the same I have for Bangladesh. I will return to Bangladesh," Modi said, concluding his speech.
After the address, Modi left for India after the two-day hectic visit.
"Dhonnobad Bangladesh. History has been created. Now onwards to the future!" Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted along with a picture of Modi waving before emplaning for Delhi.
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