Newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma today said that Bangladesh always gets the highest priority from his country.

“India has a policy for neighbouring countries. But in this regard, Bangladesh gets the highest priority. Bangladesh always gets priority in any case,” the envoy was quoted as saying.

He said this while calling on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon briefed reporters after the meeting.

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The Indian high commissioner said that Bangladesh and India will continue to work together to curb terrorism in the region. He also termed Bangladesh as “a very good friend” of India.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically said that Bangladesh never allows terrorism, adding that terrorism has no religion and boundary.

“Awami League has never tolerated terrorism, and it never allows using Bangladesh’s soil for that purpose,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh and India could resolve all unsolved issues, including Teesta river water sharing, through discussion.

She also called for Indian businessmen to invest in the 100 economic zones in Bangladesh.

The Indian high commissioner noted that trade and connectivity between Bangladesh and India have increased remarkably in recent times.

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He said, India will cooperate Bangladesh in the power and energy sector.

Verma appreciated the socio-economic development of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Recalling that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dedicated his whole life to the people of Bangladesh, Hasina said that following his footsteps, she is also working tirelessly for the countrymen.

The PM and the Indian envoy also discussed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for facilitating economic relations between the two countries. Ambassador at Large Md Ziauddin and PM’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus were present at the meeting.