Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday sought Japan’s new Prime Minister’s support for an early voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation of the displaced and distressed Myanmar citizens to their homeland.
 
“… I seek your support for an early voluntary, safe and sustainable repatriation of these displaced and distressed people to their ancestral homes in Rakhine,” she said.
 
She said both the countries share a common stance on resolving the crisis of forcibly-displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
 
The Prime Minister said this while greeting the newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida through a letter sent to him. Fumio Kishida is the 100th Prime Minister of Japan.
 
Hasina said Kishida’s election is a manifestation of the trust and confidence reposed on his able and dynamic leadership by the people of Japan, his party -- the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and the Diet.

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She said both the countries enjoy excellent relations which are based on mutual trust, respect, friendship, and cooperation since Bangladesh’s independence.
 
Hasina recalled the historic visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in this particular month of October in 1973 that laid down the foundation of an unwavering and lasting friendship between the two countries.
 
She expressed with confidence that time-tested friendship has now evolved into a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ which has been agreed to elevate to ‘Strategic Partnership’.
 
“We particularly look forward to celebrating the golden jubilee of our diplomatic relations next year with much fanfare,” she said.
 
Hasina hoped that the existing cordial ties between the two countries will further be strengthened in the days to come.
 
Expressing satisfaction over the increased Japanese investment in the infrastructural development of Bangladesh, she said Japanese companies are attracted by the favorable investment climate in Bangladesh.

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Hasina believes that their wider engagements would be mutually beneficial, and acknowledged with deep appreciation the cooperation and assistance by the government and the people of Japan during this Covid-19 pandemic.
 
After overcoming this pandemic, she hoped that both countries will reengage, recommit and revitalize the relations with mutually trusted partners.
 
“Bangladesh and Japan, as trusted partners and peace-loving nations, have always worked together in supporting each other in various international fora and in promoting global peace, progress, and prosperity.”
 
She recalled Fumio’s past visit to Bangladesh and made a fresh invitation to visit again at his convenience as the Prime Minister of Japan to Bangladesh to see Japan-Bangladesh signature projects.
 
Hasina expressed her deep commitment to work closely with Fumio and his cabinet as she has been maintaining partnership with his predecessors Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister SUGA Yoshihide, to further consolidate the bilateral relations between our two countries.