- Wednesday, May 01, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday (6).
Earlier, Hasina laid a wreath and paid tribute at Rajghat. She received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president.
Soon after the welcome, PM Hasina said she feels happy to be in India every time while noting significant ties between New Delhi and Dhaka.
“India is our friend. Whenever I come here, it is pleasure for me, especially because we always recall the contribution India has made during our liberation war. We have a friendly relationship, we are cooperating with each other,” the Bangladeshi prime minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Bangladesh PM Hasina as she arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Hasina shook hands with PM Modi. Indian external affairs minister S Jaishankar was also present.
Rashtrapati Bhavan was decked up for Hasina’s welcome. She is set to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today.
Hasina began her four-day visit to India yesterday as Bangladesh is an essential partner under India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.
Soon after arriving in New Delhi on Monday (5), Hasina met Jaishankar and discussed issues of bilateral interest.
She also visited Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, a prominent pilgrimage tourist attraction in Delhi.
PM Hasina was welcomed by Darshana Jardosh, India’s minister of state for textiles and railways in New Delhi upon her arrival.
Hasina’s visit is crucial and will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between India and Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi prime minister also got clicked with the dancers who welcomed her.
Issues, which are on top of the agenda are upgrading defence cooperation, expanding regional connectivity initiatives and establishing stability in South Asia.
This is her first visit after both nations’ bilateral relations touched their 50th year in 2021. Last year also marked the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and the 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the nation.
PM Modi visited Bangladesh in 2021.
The prime ministers of the two countries have met 12 times since 2015.
India and Bangladesh have sought to create a model for regional cooperation besides reviving several connectivity initiatives over the last few years. The Akhaura-Agartala rail link will reopen soon, and it is anticipated that Agartala and Chittagong will be connected by air in a few weeks.
India has been a hub of medical treatment for Bangladesh nationals. Of the 2.8 lakh (0.28 million) visas issued in 2021, 2.3 lakh were medical visas. Bangladesh is currently India’s biggest visa operation globally. In 2019, 13.63 lakh (1.36 million) visas were issued.
[With ANI inputs]
