Dhaka, Jun 6 (PTI): India and Bangladesh today opened a new chapter in their ties as they settled the 41-year-old boundary dispute and promised to do more in other areas amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a fresh line of credit of USD 2 billion to the neighbouring country.

With West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee standing by his side, Modi, on his maiden visit here, also expressed confidence to have a "fair solution" to the Teesta and Feni river water sharing issues with Bangladesh "with the support of state governments in India". After extensive talks between Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the two sides signed 22 agreements, including on cooperation in maritime safety and to curb human trafficking and fake Indian currency.

Hasina, whose country is seen as a hiding ground for insurgents of north east India, also promised "zero tolerance" stance against terrorism. She said the two countries agreed to set up two Special Economic Zones to bridge the growing trade deficit. Modi promised to do "everything" to address it.

He announced a fresh USD 2 billion line of credit for Bangladesh and promised quick implementation of the earlier line of credit of USD 800 million and full disbursement of USD 200 million.

The highlight of the Modi's first day here was the exchange of documents related to the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), which paves the way for exchange of territories to settle the 41-year-old border dispute which has been an irritant.

Under the Agreement, 111 border enclaves will be transferred to Bangladesh in exchange for 51 that will become part of India. "The visit is at a historic moment. We have resolved a question that has lingered since Independence. Our two nations have a settled boundary. It will make our borders more secure and people's life there more stable," Modi said at a joint press interaction with Hasina.

Referring to the unanimous passage of the LBA by Parliament last month, he said it "reflects the consensus in India on relations with Bangladesh." Noting that the two countries had accepted the settlement of the maritime boundary last year, he said, "it is evidence of the maturity of our ties and our shared commitment to international rules. So, we stand at a moment of huge opportunity in our relationship. Prime Minister (Hasina) and I recognise that."

Bangla Hindus say they live in 'constant fear', want Modi to take it up

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a two-day visit, Bangladesh's Hindu community today said they live in "constant fear of persecution" by the religious fundamentalists and wanted the Indian leader to take note of this and raise it with the Bangladeshi leadership.

"The religious majority and the fundamental groups want the Hindus to leave this country, where we are born and brought up," said Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.

He said Hindus are under the "constant fear of persecution" by fundamentalists and felt India, as a global player, could help improve their conditions. "We feel Narendra Modi, being the Prime Minister of India, should send out a strong message to the fundamental forces of Bangladesh that attack on minorities will not be tolerated," Dasgupta told PTI on a day Modi arrived here on his maiden visit.

Renowned theatre activist Piyush Bandopadhaya wants Modi to voice the concerns of the minorities especially the Hindus with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

"No doubt the Sheikh Hasina government is very friendly towards the minorities but we feel that if Modi steps in, it will be more fruitful," he said.

Human rights groups and Hindu leaders in Bangladesh have been demanding more security for minorities amid regular reports of attack on them in several parts of the country."We feel that if both the countries resolve together to fight against fundamentalism and religious terrorism of majority community on minority community. Then the problems of attack on minorities will be solved. We, the people of Bangladesh, want to live up to the principles propagated Sheikh Mujibur Rehman," ruling Awami League leader Pankaj Debnath told PTI.

Senior ministers of Bangladesh government feel the condition of minorities is much better than it used to be during the BNP rule. "It is a basic psychological factor that minorities of any country always feel insecured. But the Awami League government is a secular government and protection of the rights of religious minorities of our country is our topmost priority and duty. "The minorities in Bangladesh are safe and whenever any untoward incident happens, we take stern action," said Minister of State for Home affairs, Asaduzzaman Khan.