Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has formally invited his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina for a bilateral official visit to India in the first week of October next.
“Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar handed over the invitation letter of Narendra Modi to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when he paid a courtesy call on the premier at her official Ganabhaban residence here on Tuesday afternoon,” PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the press secretary said the prime minister extended her thanks to Modi for the invitation and greeted him.
The Indian external affairs minister said relations between India and Bangladesh reached a new height during the last five years.
He said understanding and collaboration in different sectors have enhanced significantly between the two countries during the period. Putting emphasis on maintaining regular contact, Jaishankar said India is considering simplification of the process of visits of the people to each other’s countries.
The Indian external affairs minister expressed his country’s interest in cooperation with Bangladesh in energy sector.
“Cooperation between the two countries in the field of hydroelectricity is possible effectively as its cost is less,” he remarked.
The prime minister said India can use Bangladesh’s Chattogram, Mongla and Paira ports for boosting trade and commerce.
Sheikh Hasina said the avenues in the field of connectivity between the two countries are increasing. “Many routes in rail, road and air connectivity between Bangladesh and India have been opened,” she said.
The prime minister said Bangladesh and India have wonderful relations and have also excellent cooperation in different sectors.
Sheikh Hasina said the two countries solved many problems bilaterally.
In this connection, she particularly mentioned the solution of the land boundary dispute between the two countries.
“The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) was concluded creating an example in the world … Indian all parties in parliament unanimously supported the LBA Bill,” he said.
Terming India as a true friend of Bangladesh, the premier said New Delhi is continuing support to Bangladesh since independence.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Syed Muazzem Ali, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Riva Ganguly Das and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present at the meeting.
The Indian external affairs minister arrived here last night on a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen.
It is Jaishankar’s first Bangladesh visit after taking oath of office in Narendra Modi’s cabinet on May 30.
