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Hasina, Modi open 2 rail links
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unit-II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
The premier said Bangladesh and India have proved that friendly relations between the neighbouring countries help attain mutual development. “I think it is an example for the world.”
Addressing the event, Modi said, “This is a matter of great delight that we have again come together to celebrate the success of India-Bangladesh mutual cooperation. Our relations are seemingly reaching new heights continuously.”
He pledged to stay beside Bangladesh to transform the country into a developed, prosperous, and smart nation by 2041.
“The work we have done together in the last nine years was not accomplished even in the decades before this,” Modi said.
Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Saha, also virtually joined the event.
The 12.24km Akhaura-Agartala rail link project, with a 6.78km dual gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46km in Tripura, has been implemented under India’s grant assistance of ₹392.52 crore.
The trial run of a cargo train on this route -- from Bangladesh’s Gangasagar to Nischintapur Railway Station in Agartala -- took place on Monday. The trial run of a passenger train will be conducted soon.
The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line project, worth $388.92 million, has been implemented with 69.18 percent funding from India’s concessional Line of Credit.
With the opening of the 64.7km rail link, Mongla, the second largest seaport in Bangladesh, has been connected to the broad-gauge railway network.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project has been implemented in Khulna’s Rampal under an Indian concessional financing scheme loan of $1.6 billion.
Hasina said the two newly inaugurated rail link projects would help boost trade, business, tourism, and people-to-people contact between the two countries.
The thermal power plant will also help provide uninterrupted power supply at affordable prices in Bangladesh, she said.
The PM said the Akhaura-Agartala rail link will especially help boost communication between the people of the two countries, which will be economically beneficial for both countries.
Hasina said the Khulna-Mongla Port rail line will connect the Mongla port with the existing rail link. “It will help transport imported goods to the northeastern part of the country at an affordable cost.”
The premier lauded the Indian government and her counterpart Modi for the assistance in implementing the projects.
She said Bangladesh and India have achieved great success due to mutual cooperation in recent years.
Hasina said the mutual efforts have helped ensure peace and stability in the northeast region of India and establish connectivity between many Indian states and its northeastern parts via Chattogram and Mongla ports.
The first unit of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was inaugurated jointly by the two prime ministers in September last year.

Govt open to talks
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main instrument. There is no alternative to dialogue.”
He then added, “We always welcome dialogues. We also think political problems should be resolved through dialogues. The dialogues must be held according to the constitutional structure. Sarah Cook has agreed.”
Many political parties are expressing their willingness to hold dialogues, he said, adding that the BNP has to express its intention to hold dialogues.
Referring to the BNP’s announcement that it would not participate in dialogues with the Election Commission, he said, “They made a similar decision in 2014. A party that has lost people’s support will not win the election. They do not want dialogues; they want to incite violence and create an atmosphere of turmoil, hoping that the people will listen to them. However, our citizens do not want violence.”
Arson attacks on vehicles are isolated incidents, he said, adding that law enforcers are fulfilling their responsibilities to maintain law and order.
Shops are open, courts are operational, and traffic is moving, he said.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission in a statement said at the meeting, the high commissioner reiterated “the UK’s deep concern at the violence and loss of life seen on 28 October. She expressed the UK’s call for all stakeholders to exercise restraint, eschew violence and work together to create the conditions for free, fair, participatory, and peaceful elections.”

Rampant
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He started the day needing just 69 more runs to pass 500 for the tournament when the Proteas were sent in to bat. He was eventually out for 114 caught by Glenn Phillips off Southee, ending a 200-run partnership for the second wicket with Van der Dussen.
David Miller added a blistering 53 off just 30 balls with four sixes as South Africa ended their innings with Aiden Markram arriving at the wicket for the last ball which he dispatched for six.