NEW DELHI — India and Bangladesh launched two new railway hyperlinks and a thermal energy plant unit Wednesday to strengthen connections and vitality safety within the area amid robust opposition protests in Bangladesh.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina collectively inaugurated the three Indian-assisted growth initiatives through video conferencing.

India supplied $47.8 million for a cross-border prepare hyperlink and a $388.92 million concessional line of credit score for the Khulna-Mongla port rail line in Bangladesh. India supplied one other $1.6 billion for Bangladesh’s 1,320-megawatt tremendous thermal energy undertaking, based on India’s External Affairs Ministry.

Hasina is going through road protests from opposition supporters who demand that her authorities resign and hand energy to a nonpartisan caretaker to supervise a basic election subsequent 12 months.

At least six folks have been killed and dozens injured throughout road protests since Saturday, officers mentioned.

Hasina considers a partnership with India politically vital for regional peace and growth. However, India has not commented straight on the current unrest. The Dhaka-based embassies of Western international locations, particularly the United States, have repeatedly issued statements calling for each side to point out restraint and to discover a method for a free, honest and participatory election.

China and Russia issued statements in current months accusing Washington of interfering in Bangladesh’s inner political affairs.

China is also concerned in lots of mega initiatives in Bangladesh, whereas Russia is constructing the nation’s first nuclear energy plant.

India and Bangladesh share historic and cultural ties; Bengali, which is spoken in each international locations, is a robust bond. Bilateral relations have improved since Hasina and her Awami League social gathering got here to energy in 2009.

During her September 2022 go to to India, the 2 international locations signed a water-sharing settlement and 6 different pacts, together with ones on area know-how and scientific collaboration.

Since Hasina grew to become prime minister, her authorities has addressed India’s issues about anti-India militant teams taking shelter on Bangladeshi soil. However, India has did not signal an settlement on sharing the waters of the River Teesta, a key Bangladesh demand.

Another critical concern for Bangladesh is the usage of deadly weapons by the Indian border safety power to kill Bangladeshis suspected of involvement in smuggling or illegally crossing the border. Unauthorized immigration to India from Bangladesh has dogged the international locations’ bilateral ties for years.

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Associated Press Writer Julhas Alam contributed to this report from Dhaka, Bangladesh.