Bangladesh is at the convergence point of India's 'Neighbourhood First' and 'Act East' policies
India and Bangladesh will collaborate in frontier technologies, including civil nuclear, oceanography and space technology. This includes partnering in joint development of a small satellite for Bangladesh and its launch using an Indian launch vehicle.
 
This is among a slew of initiatives highlighted in the 'India-Bangladesh Shared Vision for Future: Enhancing Connectivity, Commerce and Collaboration for Shared Prosperity' released after bilateral talks between India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on Saturday (June 22, 2024).
 
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration on a Joint Small Satellite Project was signed between Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN- SPACe) and Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Government of Bangladesh.
 
India is already collaborating with Mauritius to develop a small satellite. 
 
In November 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation of the Republic of Mauritius, had signed an MoU for cooperation in this regard.
 
Earlier, the India-Bhutan SAT, jointly developed by India and Bhutan was launched into space today by ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in No energy 2022.
 
India-Bangladesh Partnership in Energy, Emerging Technologies 
 
On India-Bangladesh energy partnership, the vision statement said, “We will continue to expand our power and energy collaboration and together develop intra-regional electricity trade, including competitively-priced power generated from clean energy projects in India, Nepal and Bhutan, through the Indian electricity grid.”  
 
To achieve this goal on energy connectivity, the vision statement added, “We will expedite the construction of 765 kV high-capacity interconnection between Katihar-Parbatipur-Bornagar with suitable Indian financial assistance, to act as the anchor for our grid connectivity.”
 
Underlining the pivotal role played by emerging technologies to build inclusive, sustainable and digitally empowered societies and to bring larger benefits to people of both countries, India and Bangladesh also decided to forge a new paradigm for future-oriented partnership through a "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Digital Partnership” and "Shared Vision for India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future”.
 
The vision statement released following the state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister on June 21-22, said: “As a close and valued neighbour with rapidly growing capabilities, Bangladesh is at the converging point of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, “Act East” policy, SAGAR doctrine and the Indo-Pacific vision, and an indispensable partner in the development of India’s northeastern region.”