Their pledge to work together came when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the afternoon.

During the 12-minute telephonic conversation that started at 5:50pm, both the leaders mentioned that their governments have taken initiatives to boost food production to face the possible food crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB said that both the leaders agreed to work together to this end, if needed.

Sheikh Hasina said various international organisations, including the United Nations, have expressed apprehension that the situation may linger.

"So, all the countries of the region will have to work in unison to deal with the situation," she said. 
 

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The two leaders appreciated the steps taken by both the countries to combat the pandemic and reiterated their commitment to work together for this purpose.

Both the leaders also agreed to advance the initiatives that the SARRC countries took to fight the COVID-19 in a videoconference held last month in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Sheikh Hasina extended thanks to Narendra Modi for sending medicines and other medical equipment to Bangladesh to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Indian Prime Minister phoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina around 5:50 pm and extended Bangla Nabo Barsho and Ramadan greetings to her and the people of Bangladesh," Ihsanul Karim said. 

"The Bangladesh prime minister also extended Ramadan greetings to Narendra Modi and the people of India," the press secretary said.

The Indian prime minister paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of his birth centenary, he added.

Modi, on behalf of the people of India and on his own behalf, conveyed greetings to Prime Minister Hasina and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Ramadan.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made in implementing the special arrangements agreed on March 15 between the leaders of the Saarc countries, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka. 

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Modi thanked Hasina for contribution of $1.5 million towards SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Prime Minister Hasina thanked Modi for taking lead in coordinating efforts to combat COVID-19 in the region.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at continuation of supply of essential items across the border through road, rail, inland waterways and air. 

Modi, recalling the shared bonds of history, culture, language and fraternal ties, expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations, and ensured India’s readiness to help Bangladesh in containing the spread of COVID-19 and in mitigating the health and economic impact of the pandemic.