Bangladesh
Bangladesh-India Dhaka-New Delhi committed to taking the relationship forward
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, April 29: India and Bangladesh both expressed their determination to further strengthen and take forward the existing relations between the two neighbouring countries. In particular, Dhaka-New Delhi has pledged to increase trade-investment and communication as well as solve problems.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting at the state guest house, Padma, on Thursday. After the meeting, the foreign ministers of the two countries briefed the journalists.
The Indian External Affairs Minister said, "Whenever I come to Bangladesh, I like the place. So I came again and again. The purpose of today's visit is to take the relations between the two countries further, a relationship of trust and confidence has developed between us."
Dr. Momen said, "We have discussed all issues of the relationship. The golden chapter of our relationship is underway. Last year we celebrated 50 years of relationship. The way India and Bangladesh have worked together in these 50 years is memorable in history. We have solved the big problems that we had. We are committed to solving small problems."
Jaishankar said, "We worked together during the last Corona pandemic and we were in constant touch. Bilateral relations have improved a lot during this period. Last year, for the first time in history, the President and Prime Minister of India visited Bangladesh, which was very significant."
"I have the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I have conveyed the Indian Prime Minister's personal message and greetings to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. I also told her that we are looking forward to her upcoming visit to India. We also discussed regional and international issues outside of bilateral relations and received a commitment from her to move forward together," he said.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Foreign Ministry on the Momen-Jaishankar meeting said Dr. Momen hoped that the Teesta water sharing issue would be signed soon and the unresolved issues between the two countries would be resolved.
Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka at noon on a short one-day visit. At the beginning of the programme, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganobhaban in the afternoon.
Jaishankar had visited Dhaka for the first time in 2019 after taking charge as the External Affairs Minister of India. He then visited Dhaka for the second time in March last year. This is his third visit to Dhaka.
He left Dhaka for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, on Friday morning.
