New Delhi. With China focusing on increasing its footprint in South Asia region, the upcoming visit of the Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral Karambir Singh assumes significance as this is expected to give a massive boost to defence cooperation and maritime security between the two countries.

The upcoming talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina next month would also bolster relations as the two sides would explore areas of greater cooperation in the blue economy, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, aerospace research and cyber security.

India is expected to push for deeper defence cooperation with Bangladesh which was agreed by two countries in 2017.

Though officially the dates have not been announced, it is likely that Prime Minister Hasina is coming to attend the two day India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum on October three and four. This year’s theme of the India Economic Forum is “Innovating for India: Strengthening South Asia, impacting the World.”

Also on the agenda will be the long-pending issue of Teesta water sharing. In August, after a gap of almost seven years, the joint river commission of both countries had met in Dhaka and had decided to finalise the agreement before Hasina arrives in India.