UNB, Dhaka :
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left Dhaka on Friday wrapping up her three-day visit to Bangladesh leaving an impression for Bangladesh leadership that the BJP government would work with the government of Bangladesh to take the Bangladesh-India relationship ‘forward’.
Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, in a pre-departure brief press conference at the airport conveyed the summary of Sushma’s Dhaka visit terming it ‘extremely satisfying and fulfilling’.
Asked whether the new Indian government will work with Awami League government in its full-tenure, the spokesperson said, “Governments work with governments.”
The Indian government will work with the government of Bangladesh, and all other issues ‘internal’ to Bangladesh will need to be addressed and resolved by the people of Bangladesh, he said.
Asked about the discussion between BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and Sushma, Akbaruddin apparently summarised the discussions Friday’s all meetings instead of being specific about Khaleda’s meeting.
“I want to summarise the outcomes of today’s discussions. Across the widest spectrum of Bangladesh government and society, there is a desire and a feeling for greater friendship, greater cooperation and greater interaction with India,” he said adding that these were the messages they got during Dhaka visit.
Evaluating the visit, Akbaruddin said this is an excellent beginning and there is a widespread desire to move ahead, address each other’s concerns and work in the spirit of good neighborly attitude with each other.
“It’s our view that the visit is extremely satisfying and fulfilling. The External Affairs Minister goes back to India and hopes to build on excellent start of our new government’s relationship with Bangladesh,” he
Sushma started her activities on Friday with the visit of Dhakeshwari Temple where she offered prayers in the morning.
Following the temple visit, she had a series of meetings. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Gawher Rizvi, Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, Prime Minister’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, PM’s daughter Saima Wazed Putul and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia met the Indian External Affairs Minister in her Sonargaon Hotel suite.
Later, Sushma met Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad at her parliament office.
Akbaruddin said the External Affairs Minister is extremely grateful for the warm welcome given to her and gracious hospitality by the government.
Sushma Swaraj arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night on her first bilateral visit to demonstrate the importance her government gives to Bangladesh.
Though it was ‘goodwill’ visit, Sushma had discussions with President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh and her Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmood Ali during which bilateral issues, including Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and proposed Teesta water sharing pact prominently came up on the discussion table.
She also delivered a lecture on Bangladesh-India relations at an event to be organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Thursday evening.
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj left Dhaka on Friday wrapping up her three-day visit to Bangladesh leaving an impression for Bangladesh leadership that the BJP government would work with the government of Bangladesh to take the Bangladesh-India relationship ‘forward’.
Syed Akbaruddin, the spokesperson of the Indian External Affairs Ministry, in a pre-departure brief press conference at the airport conveyed the summary of Sushma’s Dhaka visit terming it ‘extremely satisfying and fulfilling’.
Asked whether the new Indian government will work with Awami League government in its full-tenure, the spokesperson said, “Governments work with governments.”
The Indian government will work with the government of Bangladesh, and all other issues ‘internal’ to Bangladesh will need to be addressed and resolved by the people of Bangladesh, he said.
Asked about the discussion between BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and Sushma, Akbaruddin apparently summarised the discussions Friday’s all meetings instead of being specific about Khaleda’s meeting.
“I want to summarise the outcomes of today’s discussions. Across the widest spectrum of Bangladesh government and society, there is a desire and a feeling for greater friendship, greater cooperation and greater interaction with India,” he said adding that these were the messages they got during Dhaka visit.
Evaluating the visit, Akbaruddin said this is an excellent beginning and there is a widespread desire to move ahead, address each other’s concerns and work in the spirit of good neighborly attitude with each other.
“It’s our view that the visit is extremely satisfying and fulfilling. The External Affairs Minister goes back to India and hopes to build on excellent start of our new government’s relationship with Bangladesh,” he
Sushma started her activities on Friday with the visit of Dhakeshwari Temple where she offered prayers in the morning.
Following the temple visit, she had a series of meetings. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Gawher Rizvi, Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, Prime Minister’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, PM’s daughter Saima Wazed Putul and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia met the Indian External Affairs Minister in her Sonargaon Hotel suite.
Later, Sushma met Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad at her parliament office.
Akbaruddin said the External Affairs Minister is extremely grateful for the warm welcome given to her and gracious hospitality by the government.
Sushma Swaraj arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday night on her first bilateral visit to demonstrate the importance her government gives to Bangladesh.
Though it was ‘goodwill’ visit, Sushma had discussions with President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh and her Bangladesh counterpart AH Mahmood Ali during which bilateral issues, including Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) and proposed Teesta water sharing pact prominently came up on the discussion table.
She also delivered a lecture on Bangladesh-India relations at an event to be organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on Thursday evening.
