Highlighting the historic bondage, Indian President Droupadi Murmu has expressed hope that the relations between the two countries will further be strengthened in the coming days based on goodwill, trust, understanding and mutual respect. She made the remarks when outgoing Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran met her at the latter’s office at Rashtrapati Bhaban on Tuesday. During the meeting, the High Commissioner conveyed greetings and warm regards to the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. They discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation including the recent successful visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India, which has further consolidated the existing relationships between the two neighbouring countries, said the Bangladesh High Commission in a media release.

In an effort to give further impetus to Dhaka-Delhi relations, the two neighbouring countries are now planning to have enhanced engagements, including preparation for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India at a convenient time this year, officials said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already extended an invitation to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations, said an official. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen is scheduled to leave here on Wednesday for India as the two sides are likely to begin the discussion during his engagements in New Delhi. The Foreign Secretary will first go to Chennai from where he will head towards New Delhi.  Read:PM unveils commemorative stamp marking Amar Ekushey In Chennai, Masud Momen will see the progress of the work as Bangladesh Deputy High Commission is getting operationalised. The Foreign Secretary is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart Harsh Vardhan Shringla on February 24. Masud Momen is likely to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar but it depends on availability of the Indian Minister, said an official. The two countries witnessed momentum in their relations last year with a series of engagements, including high-level visits. 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. Read: PM urges simplifying scientific terms in Bengali for students’ benefit It was the Indian President’s maiden visit to Bangladesh and also his first visit overseas since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid a landmark visit to Bangladesh on March 26 and 27 last year and those visits were of “historical significance” given the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of the two countries during Bangladesh’s struggle for Liberation in 1971. As the Indian President and Prime Minister visited Bangladesh last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina might visit India at a convenient time this year, the official added. The two countries will continue discussion on the agenda as the visit is unlikely to take place before September, officials said. Connectivity, trade, energy cooperation, water sharing of common rivers are some of the main issues that are expected to come up during the PM’s visit for discussions.

The virtual Summit between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi began on Thursday morning as the two time-tested friends look for joint celebrations of mega events in 2021 and stronger collaboration in post-Covid era.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will hold a virtual Summit on Thursday as the two time-tested friends look for joint celebrations of mega events in 2021 and stronger collaboration in post-COVID era.

Bangladesh and India will chart out plans to take the "rock-solid and historic" Dhaka-Delhi relations to the next level expanding areas of cooperation between the two countries with a number of engagements in December, officials say.