Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid emphasis on resolving the outstanding issues between India and Bangladesh through talks at the official level.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said this during a media briefing about the outcome of the bilateral meeting between Modi and visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“The Prime Minister of India expressed his deep gratitude to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her contribution in ensuring the existing peaceful situation in the north-eastern region of his country,” Momen said.
The bilateral meeting took place at the official residence of the Indian prime minister in New Delhi.
Momen said that both the prime ministers expressed satisfaction over the existing deep relationship between Bangladesh and India.
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“And they agreed to take effective steps to further this relationship,” he said.
Hasina noted that after his successful state visit to New Delhi on 04-08 September last year, a lot of visible progress has been achieved in various areas of bilateral interest.
“Both the prime ministers expressed satisfaction for this,” the foreign minister said.
In the meeting, the Sheikh Hasina informed the Indian prime minister about the success achieved by Bangladesh in various socio-economic fields.
“The Prime Minister of India appreciated the strong leadership of the Prime Minister for the tremendous progress of Bangladesh,” Momen added.
Momen said that Sheikh Hasina requested the Government of India to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities from India as New Delhi is the second largest trading partner of Dhaka.
“Both Prime Ministers agreed to accelerate our ongoing efforts and activities to enhance our bilateral and regional connectivity with India, including rail and road connectivity,” he said.
Read: Dhaka, New Delhi sign 3 MoUs after Hasina-Modi talks
PM Hasina also sought the cooperation of Modi for the speedy repatriation of the Rohingya people to their homeland, Myanmar.
“We believe that this fruitful and open discussion between the two Prime Ministers in a very cordial atmosphere will speed up to settle the outstanding issues between the two sides and benefit the people of both countries,” Momen said.
He said the bilateral meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
“Both Prime Ministers discussed important issues of bilateral interest. During this time, both the Prime Ministers also held tete-a-tete,” he said.
Sheikh Hasina recalled India's contribution to Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.
She also thanked Modi for inviting her to the 'G-20 Leaders' Summit.
She expressed her gratitude to the prime minister of India for taking the necessary initiatives to protect the interests of the underdeveloped parts of the world, especially the 'Global South' by bringing the issues related to the interests of the 'Global South' to a large scale like G-20.
Modi congratulated Bangladesh on actively participating in G-20 meetings, Momen said.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Bangladesh said Hasina and Modi reiterated their firm commitment to further strengthening the excellent bilateral relations which exist between the two friendly neighbours.
They expressed this when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with her Indian counterpart on Friday evening at latter's official residence in New Delhi.
The Bangladesh PM thanked Modi for inviting Bangladesh as a Guest Country to participate in the meetings of G20 under the Indian Presidency.
She congratulated the Indian Prime Minister for successfully steering the G20 process and making significant contributions to advancing the interests of the people across the globe, especially of the Global South.
The two prime ministers expressed satisfaction over the existing level of collaboration between the two long-standing partners and discussed the major issues of mutual interests.
During the meeting, both the prime ministers held discussions on a wide range of issues covering most of the aspects of the relationship.
They noted with satisfaction the achievements made in a number of areas of mutual interests, since the last state visit of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in September 2022.
She expressed satisfaction over the recent increase in bilateral trade between the two countries and emphasized ensuring smooth and predictable supply of essential commodities from India to Bangladesh.
She sought India’s support for early repatriation of the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
PM Modi appreciated Bangladesh’s active participation in various G20 meetings as a Guest Country. He lauded the unprecedented developments achieved in various socio-economic sectors of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina. He suggested settling the outstanding issues between the two countries through discussions at the official level.
Both the prime ministers expressed satisfaction over conclusion of three bilateral MOUs in the areas of Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2023-2025; Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education; and the MOU between NPCI International Payments Limited of India and Bangladesh Bank to facilitate and settlement of transactions by the travellers.
Sheikh Hasina will attend the “G-20 Leaders’ Summit” tomorrow and make statements in the sessions.
On the sidelines of the summit, she is expected to meet Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, President of United Arab Emirates, President of Argentina and President of the Republic of Korea.