Media can play a major role in deepening Bangladesh-India ties: Speaker Dr. Sharmin

New Delhi: Bangladesh parliament – Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has said that the media can play a significant role in further deepening the ties between the two neighbors India and Bangladesh. She urged the media to play a constructive role in improving the ties between the two countries.

Dr. Shirin said that the two countries have resolved several issues through discussion and dialogue like the demarcation of maritime and land boundaries, but some pending issues remain to be resolved.

Dr. Sharmin was speaking as the Chief Guest at a seminar titled ‘Role of Media in Bangladesh-India relations – challenges and prospects’ organized by the National Press Club of Bangladesh in Dhaka to mark its 68th Founding Day and the Golden Jubilee of the liberation of Bangladesh.

Delineating the core areas of Bangladesh – India relations, Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam said that security, water sharing, and economic prosperity of the two countries were the central elements of the bilateral relations.

Mahfuz Anam said Bangladesh has taken care of the security concerns of India. He said the media can help build a better understanding between the two countries. He urged the media to have a more people-centric approach that goes beyond looking at issues only from the geo-strategic lens.

Mahfuz Anam said that media can help expand the relationship between the two countries beyond the usual northeast of India to include its IT hub of Chennai and Bengaluru which will help in the effort to build a digital Bangladesh.

He called upon the two countries to set up an independent think tank, a dedicated institute of  India-Bangladesh studies, to provide intellectual guidance on issues of mutual importance.

A number of eminent media persons from Bangladesh and India participated in the conference. Editor of Daily Star Mahfuz Anam and President of the Indian Union of Journalists (IUJ) Geetartha Pathak were the guests of honor.

Senior journalists from India including  Gautam Lahiri, Mahua Chatterjee, Pranab Sarkar, and National Press Club of Bangladesh President Farida Yasmin also spoke on the occasion.