Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi today expressed their desire to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries in the days to come.
“The two leaders hoped that the existing bilateral ties would be further deepened in the days to come,” Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud told a press briefing here this morning. ’
The expectation was expressed in a private meeting between the two Prime Ministers after the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi government’s cabinet on Sunday evening.
Hasan said during the meeting, held in a very warm and friendly atmosphere, the Bangladesh prime minister invited her Indian counterpart to visit Bangladesh at his convenient time.He said the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India reached a new height under the visionary leadership of Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi.
The two prime ministers later joined a banquet hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the foreign minister said.
Hasan said senior Indian ministers, Bangladesh delegation, invited heads of state and government attended the dinner. There they had a brief exchange.
The foreign minister said they exchanged pleasantries at the reception.
Narendra Modi has run his state for the last 10 years and Sheikh Hasina has already been running the state for 15 years and replying to a question about expectations and achievements from each other, the foreign minister said Bangladesh and India have multifaceted relations.
“There are many issues involved between the two countries. Since both governments continue to run the country, there are some advantages to working together. ’
Dr Hasan said the people of both the countries are being benefited in different aspects through which the two countries have connectivity from friendly relations.
The foreign minister hoped that “our multifaceted relations will be further expanded and deepened in the future.” ’
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Mustafizur Rahman and PM’s Press Secretary Naimul Islam Khan were present at the briefing.
The Bangladesh premier arrived in New Delhi on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Indian government at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
The Bangladesh prime minister will hold two separate bilateral meetings with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Indian counterpart at his place of stay here this morning.
Sheikh Hasina is expected to leave the Indian capital for Dhaka this afternoon.