Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged G20 foreign ministers to overcome their differences and to reach consensus on issues of deep concern to poorer countries. In a video address to the assembled foreign ministers in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged them not to allow current tensions to destroy agreements that might be reached on food and energy security, climate change and the debt crisis. “We are meeting at a time of deep global divisions,” Modi told the group, which included U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and their Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, whose discussions would naturally be “affected by the geopolitical tensions of the day.” “We all have our positions and our perspectives on how these tensions should be resolved,” he said, adding that: “We should not allow issues that we cannot resolve together to come in the way of those we can.” Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized and developing nations on Thursday opened what are expected to be contentious talks dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s moves to boost its global influence. In a nod to fears that the increasingly bitter rift between the United States and its allies on one side and Russia and China on the other appears likely to widen further, Modi said that “multilateralism is in crisis today.” He lamented that the two main goals of the post-World War II international order — preventing conflict and fostering cooperation — were elusive. “The experience of the last two years, financial crisis, pandemic, terrorism and wars clearly shows that global governance has failed in both its mandates,” he said. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar then addressed the group in person, telling them that they “must find common ground and provide direction.” While they were all in the same room, there was no sign that Blinken would sit down with either his Russian or Chinese counterparts. Ahead of the meeting, Blinken said he had no plans to meet with them individually but expected to see them in group settings. In addition to attending the G-20 and seeing Modi and Jaishankar individually on Thursday, Blinken’s official schedule had him meeting only the foreign ministers of Brazil, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Mexico, Nigeria and South Africa.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to attend the 18th G20 Summit which will take place in New Delhi on September 9-10 this year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to attend the Summit. India, which holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023, has invited Bangladesh as a “guest country” in its all meetings, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reports at a weekly briefing on Thursday. Bangladesh sees its series of engagements with the Group of Twenty (G20) under India’s Presidency this year as a “big honour” for the country. “We will raise our issues there. It is a big honour for us. We should be prudent,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently, noting that Bangladesh is the only South Asian country invited by the host. The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which plays an “important role” in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. India has invited Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as guest countries to its meetings and summit, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, India. Apart from the G20 leaders, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Oman Head of State Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have been invited to the G20 Summit. Meanwhile, Momen will attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on March 1-2. Hasina paid a state visit to India from September 5 to 8 last year at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Read more: Being invited to G20 Summit is a big honour for Bangladesh, says Momen Ahead of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s visits, Vinay Kwatra will be in Dhaka in the third week of February to have bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen, said a diplomatic source. Kwatra assumed charge as foreign secretary on May 1 last year.  The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States and the European Union. The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.    

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (September 7, 2022) asked the youth of Bangladesh and India to interact more closely and work in close collaboration like their leaders did in the past.  “We feel, youths of both the countries need to interact more closely and connect to the shared history because they are the future leaders and leaders across the borders must work in close collaboration, like our leaders did in the past,” she said. The prime minister was addressing a function marking the distribution of Mujib Scholarship awards among the direct descendants of soldiers or officers of defence forces of India who had been martyred or critically wounded during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Bangladesh Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, also spoke at the function held at the Ball room of ITC Maurya hotel here in New Delhi. Bangladesh has introduced the scholarship in honour of the country’s founding leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina, now on a four-day official visit to India, said she would really love to see that the descendants of the war heroes act as ambassadors of Bangladesh-India friendship and draw parallels with their great forefathers.  “I would like to conclude by praying to the Almighty to bless the new generation so that they may carry the torch of friendship forward for the next 50 years and beyond,” she said. The prime minister said the event is especially very close to her heart as this is an opportunity for paying sincere homage to all the martyrs - both from Bangladesh and India, who laid down their lives during our Liberation War in 1971 and to the war veterans of both the countries.  “I am truly delighted to reconnect with you – the descendant family members of our war heroes,” she said. She mentioned that the Bangalee nation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman waged struggle for economic, cultural and democratic emancipation for 24 years. Read:Dhaka, Delhi reiterate strong commitment to eliminate terrorism “Responding to the clarion call of our great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, they fought for the liberation of the country in 1971. We witnessed an unparalleled gesture of friendship from the government and people of India, as we were provided with empathy, shelter and resources,” she said. Sheikh Hasina, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, expressed gratitude to the Indians who sacrificed their invaluable lives and shed blood for the cause of the war of liberation.  “It is always an honour for us to remember those noble persons who sacrificed their lives. My salutations to you, to the brave hearts ---our heroes!” she went on. She said Bangladesh government commenced a programme to honour the foreign friends who contributed to the Liberation War in 1971.  “We were fortunate to be able to hold the first ceremony of award in 2011 when the highest Civilian Award to foreign friends ‘Bangladesh Freedom Award’ was conferred on the former Indian Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi," said the Bangladesh premier. Subsequently, more awards were conferred on the deserving Indian leaders, including former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former President Pranab Mukherjee, she said.  “War heroes and members of civil society of India were also honoured in a phased manner. A total of 340 foreign nationals and organizations were honoured. Among them, 226 were from India alone,” she said. In April 2017, she had the great honour to confer awards upon the war veterans of India through their descendants and immediate family members in the presence of Indian PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi, said Sheikh Hasina. “I would like to appreciate the kind gesture of government of India for extending their support to our Freedom Fighters for their treatment in India as well as offering scholarship to the family members of the Freedom fighters.” She said it certainly demonstrates India’s continued support and goodwill for the war heroes of Bangladesh who fought for the emergence of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. The prime minister said that conferment of 200 Mujib Scholarships, 100 each at Class-X and Class-X II level, to the descendants of Indian war veterans is a token of our homage to the heroes who made supreme sacrifice in 1971 for our cause.  “As we aspire to carry forward the legacies of our great forefathers from generation to generation, this is our humble effort to reconnect the younger generations to the historic past of which they are a proud part.” Read:Hasina, Modi direct officials to start CEPA negotiations this year She mentioned that the awardees of the scholarship would have an opportunity to revisit the memories of valour of their forefathers, relate it to the present circumstances and would continue to bridge between the two countries. The relationship between Bangladesh and India goes far beyond strategic partnership and has further strengthened during the last decade, she continued. “Having forged a strong partnership over the last 50 years, both countries are working on an increasingly wide range of sectoral collaboration.” In this regard, Hasina said resolution of longstanding issues of demarcation of maritime and land boundaries bear testimony to that effect.  “The relationship is known to be the ‘Role Model for the Neighbourhood Diplomacy’ worldwide.” She said Bangladesh and India are passing through a path of friendship and 2021 was a landmark year in our relations.  She said in March last year said that she had the opportunity to welcome Modi in Dhaka in the historic celebrations of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and 50th anniversary of the establishment of Bangladesh and India diplomatic relations. The president of India also joined the glorious celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s victory in the War of Liberation in December 2021. To celebrate these occasions, she said, a number of joint programmes were held. Among them, the release of commemorative stamps on Bangabandhu and Mahatma Gandhi and Bangladesh-India friendship; Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition; participation of Bangladesh Contingent in the Republic Day parade of India were noteworthy. Sheikh Hasina said that Joint production of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman titled ‘Mujib: the Making of the Nation’ is underway, and is expected to be released soon.  She said Bangladesh and India have jointly celebrated December 6 as ‘Maitree Diwas’, the day being a historic one when India recognised Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state in 1971, in 20 selected cities, including Dhaka and New Delhi.  “Through this joint celebrations, Bangladesh and India have projected the good neighbourhood which is based on mutual trust and respect, to other countries around the world,” she said. The Prime Minister said that people of Bangladesh should not forget that India, its government, its people and armed forces stood beside Bangladesh during its Liberation war.  "I want that our friendship will last forever,” she said.   Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her precious and generous gesture for introducing the scholarship.  He said that the existing good relations between the two neighbouring countries will deepen further in the coming days.

A red carpet was rolled out as Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Monday on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. On arrival at Palam Airport at 11:40am local time (BD time 12:10pm) the premier was received by State Minister for Railways and Textiles of India Darshana Vikram Jardosh and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran. A cultural team performed a welcome dance and play musical instruments at the airport. A group of women, clad in colourful saris, danced and played music to greet the Bangladesh leader at the airport. A smiling Hasina talked to the women appreciating their performance. From the airport Sheikh Hasina drove in a ceremonial motorcade to ITC Maurya, where she will be staying during the visit. The streets along the route were decked with national flags of Bangladesh and India. Portraits of Hasina and Modi were also installed along the way. The visit is seen as significant amid the Ukraine crisis, global economic downturn and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the two South Asian neighbours seek enhanced cooperation to overcome the challenges. The prime minister flew by a VVIP chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.   According to the traditional Indian protocol PM Hasina will be formally received by her Indian counterpart on Tuesday morning (September 6), while a ceremonial guard of honour will be accorded to her at the Rastrapati Bhabhan. During her visit, Hasina is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on Tuesday. Issues related to security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling an human trafficking will get priority during the talks between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. Read: PM flies to India on four-day visit

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning (September 5, 2022) left Dhaka for New Delhi on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. The visit is seen as significant amid the Ukraine crisis, global economic downturn and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as the two South Asian neighbors seek enhanced cooperation to overcome the challenges. A VVIP chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage members departed the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 10:17am. The flight is scheduled to land at Palam Airport, New Delhi at 12pm (BST). The Bangladesh premier will be received by State Minister for Railways and Textiles of India Darshana Vikram Jardosh and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran. PM Hasina will be formally received by her Indian counterpart on September 6, while a ceremonial guard of honour will be accorded to her at the Rastrapati Bhabhan. During her visit, Hasina is scheduled to hold bilateral talks and a one-to-one meeting with Modi at the Hyderabad House on September 6, Tuesday. Issues related to security cooperation, investment, enhanced trade relations, power and energy sector cooperation, water sharing of common rivers, water resources management, border management, combating drug smuggling an human trafficking will get priority during the talks between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. Read:Dhaka, Delhi likely to sign 7 deals, MoUs during PM's India visit: FM After the bilateral talks, Bangladesh and India are likely to sign seven agreements and MoUs on water management, railway, science and technology; and information and broadcasting. The Bangladesh PM is also scheduled to attend a lunch to be hosted by her Indian counterpart. Sheikh Hasina will also meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar separately on the same day. Besides, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani will separately meet the Bangladesh Prime Minister on September 5, while Minister for Development of North Eastern Region of India G. Kishan Reddy and Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi will have separate meetings with her on September 7. The prime minister is scheduled to visit Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in Delhi on Monday (September 05), Khwaja Gharib Nawaz Dargah Sharif and Ajmer (Ajmer Sharif Dargah) in Rajasthan on September 08. Hasina, accompanied by representatives from business bodies of Bangladesh, will attend Bangladesh-India Business Forum on September 07. On the same day, she will award the Mujib Scholarship, an initiative of the Bangladesh government, to the descendants of 200 Indian Armed Forces personnel who were martyred or critically injured during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Hasina is visiting India after three years since she last visited in 2019 before the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. Read: PM directs import of additional food grains The prime minister leads a high-level delegation which includes several ministers, advisers, state ministers, secretaries and senior officials. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Railways Minister Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, PM’s economic affairs adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and State Minister for Water Resources Zaheed Farooque are among the delegation members.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. According to Japanese media reports, Modi is likely to fly down to Tokyo for Abe's state funeral slated to take place at Nippon Budokan on September 27. The former Japanese PM was assassinated by a former Navy personnel while giving a campaign speech in the  city of Nara on July 8. He was pronounced dead hours later at a hospital where he was airlifted to. The same day, India declared a one-day national mourning -- which was observed a day later, as Prime Minister Modi took to social media to express his "shock" at the assassination of "one of my dearest friends". "I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place," Modi wrote. Read: Modi, Maldivian Prez launch Gr Male connectivity projects, seal 6 deals PM Modi has also lauded 67-year-old Abe for his "immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership". "Today, whole India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment. As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, a one day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022," he wrote. Recalling his association with Abe, Modi wrote that he had got to know him "during my tenure as Gujarat CM and our friendship continued after I became PM". "His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me." "During my recent visit to Japan, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Abe again and discuss many issues. He was witty and insightful as always. Little did I know that this would be our last meeting. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the Japanese people," the Indian PM wrote.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will depart for a three-nation European tour of Germany, Denmark and France next week amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Modi will first travel to Germany on May 2, where he is slated to hold bilateral talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. From Germany, he will go to Denmark and will have a brief stopover in Paris on his way back home on May 4, according to the Foreign Ministry. "In Berlin, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany, and the two leaders will co-chair the sixth edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC)," the Ministry said in a statement. Also read: Modi congratulates Prez Macron on his re-election Modi's visit will be an opportunity to enhance and intensify cooperation in a broad range of areas and for the two governments to exchange views on regional and global matters of mutual interest, according to the Ministry. "During his visit, the Prime Minister and German Chancellor Scholz would also jointly address a business event. The Prime Minister will address and interact with the Indian community in Germany," it said. From Germany, Modi will head to Copenhagen. Apart from holding bilateral talks with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, the Indian PM will participate in the second India-Nordic summit being hosted by Denmark, the Ministry said. At the India-Nordic summit, Modi will also hold talks with Premier Katrín Jakobsdóttir of Iceland, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre of Norway, Premier Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and PM Sanna Marin of Finland. Also read:Biden urges Modi not to step up Indian use of Russian oil "The summit will focus on subjects like post-pandemic economic recovery, climate change, innovation and technology, renewable energy, the evolving global security scenario and India-Nordic cooperation in the Arctic," the Ministry said. On his return journey on May 4, the Ministry said, Modi will make a stopover in Paris and meet French President Emmanuel Macron, who was recently re-elected for a second five-year term, according to the Ministry. "India and France are celebrating 75 years of their diplomatic relations this year and the meeting between the two leaders will set a more ambitious agenda of the strategic partnership," the statement said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated "friend" Emmanuel Macron on his re-election as the French President for another five-year term. Calling Macron his "friend", the Indian PM took to Twitter to say that he looks forward to working with the French leader to bolster the strategic ties between Delhi and Paris. Also read:To Europe’s relief, France’s Macron wins but far-right gains "Congratulations to my friend @EmmanuelMacron on being re-elected as the President of France! I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership," Modi wrote. Modi is likely to embark on a five-day tour of Europe next week. During his proposed visit from May 2 to 6, he is likely to hold bilateral meetings with the French President and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Also read:In France, it's Macron vs. Le Pen, again, for presidency Defeating his far-right rival Marine Le Pen by 58.55% to 41.45%, 44-year-old Macron on Sunday became the first sitting president in France to get re-elected in 20 years.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive here on April 28, says a diplomatic source on Sunday. He will be coming with the formal invitation letter for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on behalf of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an impending visit to Delhi - likely to be held in June-end or first week of July, said the source familiar with the matter. Also read:FM highlights work towards 'free, fair and transparent' elections Jaishankar will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hold bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen during his stay in Dhaka. Minister Momen will host a dinner in honour of his Indian counterpart Jaishankar. At Hasina's invitation, Modi paid a state visit to Bangladesh from 26 to 27 March 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. At the invitation of President Abdul Hamid, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind paid a state visit to Bangladesh from December 15 to 17 last year to attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations here as the guest of honour. It was the Indian president’s maiden visit to Bangladesh and also his first visit overseas since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Also read:US won't take sides in election: Amb. Haas The visits symbolised the partnership of half-a-century between India and Bangladesh that has strengthened, matured and evolved as a model for bilateral relations for the entire region. In an effort to give further impetus to Dhaka-Delhi relations, the two neighboring countries are now planning to have enhanced engagement including preparation for Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India this year, officials said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon fellow leaders to strive to transform the Bay of Bengal into a bridge of connectivity, prosperity and security among the BIMSTEC-member countries. In his intervention, the Indian Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced BIMSTEC regional connectivity, cooperation and security, and made several suggestions in this regard. Read: BIMSTEC leaders pledge to intensify regional cooperation to offset economic losses Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Indian counterpart Modi along with other leaders also witnessed the signing of three BIMSTEC agreements which represent progress being achieved in ongoing cooperation activities. These are BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training and Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility. The main outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal. Prime Minister Modi virtually participated in the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted by Sri Lanka. Prior to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit, preparatory meetings at the Senior Official and Foreign Minister levels were held in Colombo on March 28 and 29 in the hybrid mode. Read: BIMSTEC Charter signed in Colombo to push forward cooperation The Summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captured the main current priorities of member states, and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member state’s programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Summit also saw considerable progress being achieved in the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with the adoption of the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’ by Leaders which lays out a guidance framework for connectivity related activities in the region in the future.