UNB, Dhaka :
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar concluded his day-long visit here on Thursday night reaffirming the robust Bangladesh-India partnership.
He emphasised greater connectivity as the key gamechanger, bilaterally and regionally.
The two sides prepared ground for the first international visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi since COVID-19 set in.
The special aircraft carrying the Indian External Affairs Minister and his entourage took off at 09:40 pm from Bangabandhu Air Base.
Director General, South Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh High Commissioner saw them off.
He held a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen and met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In the evening, the India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar inaugurated a new cultural centre in Dhaka.
Jaishankar said he is confident that the new cultural centre will be a centre of energy for the very unique relations between Bangladesh and India.
He highlighted the importance of culture in daily life and shared cultural heritage between the two countries.
“Our shared cultural heritage is the strength of our partnership. It is the primary driver of our people-to-people connectivity,” Jaishankar said.
He said he was proud to inaugurate the centre in the month of Bangladesh’s independence and a few days after the International Mother Language Day on February 21.
India this year recognised two Bangladeshis-Sanjida Khatun, Bangladesh’s renowned musicologist and founder of Chhayanaut Institute, and Liberation War veteran Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir-with the Padma Shri Award, the highest civilian award of India.
“I am delighted to dedicate this new Indian Cultural Centre to the service of the people of Bangladesh and the friendship of our two countries,” said Jaishankar.
