The upcoming State visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh on the historic Victory Day is a reflection of the high priority that both countries attach to the bilateral relationship, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday.

“It also reaffirms the shared desire of both countries to further consolidate and strengthen the multifaceted and irreversible partnership, based on historical and cultural ties, mutual trust and understanding,” MEA said in a statement officially announcing the State visit of Indian the President to Bangladesh on December 15-17.

Kovind will attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations of Bangladesh during the visit at the invitation of President Abdul Hamid.

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The Indian President will hold a delegation level meeting with President Hamid. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also have a meeting with the President. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will also call on him.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid a State visit to Bangladesh from March 26 to 27, 2021 to join the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh, the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh.

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“Bangladesh is a major pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy,” said the MEA.

Bangladesh and India share progressive, comprehensive and substantial cooperation in diverse areas ranging from security, border management & defence, water resources, trade, transport & connectivity, health, culture & people-to-people ties, energy & power to development partnership and sub-regional cooperation. Both countries have closely cooperated in addressing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.