Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bangladesh extremely disappointed over US State Department’s “unverified claims” of protest deaths
Bangladesh has expressed extreme disappointment over US State Department’s unsubstantiated claim of deaths of at least two persons, and said such “baseless claim” can fuel the violence and undermine Bangladesh government’s efforts.
“Use of unverified information to make such baseless claims can fuel violence and undermine Bangladesh government’s efforts to maintain a peaceful environment to allow non-violent protests or movement,” Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin said today.
Student violence: Is US State Department being misled by rumours over claim of two deaths?
She said the foreign ministry is “extremely disappointed” by the response of Mathew Miller, Spokesperson of the US State Department, to a question during a regular press briefing on July 15, 2024 (Washington time), where he made unsubstantiated claims of at least two deaths in the ongoing student protests in Bangladesh.
The foreign ministry spokesperson said freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are cornerstones of democracy, and the government remains steadfast to uphold those rights of the citizens while also safeguarding public property and order.
She said violence does not have any place in democracy and politics.
“We have recently witnessed with horror an attempt on the life of former US President Donald Trump during a peaceful rally in Pennsylvania, USA,” Sabrin said.
She said they are “deeply concerned” by the incident and such violence runs against the core values of democracy.
“The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh have separately condemned the attack and sighed relief learning that Trump was safe and recovering,” she said.
To uphold democracy and democratic values, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they are committed to working together with the US.
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When specific information on the State Department’s claim was sought from the US Embassy in Dhaka, its acting spokesperson Leonard Hill told UNB this morning that the statement was “monitoring reports” that included the injuries and deaths.
“We are always looking for the most accurate information and welcome journalists’ work to uncover the truth,” he said.
Dhaka, Beijing likely to sign around 20 MoUs; announce some dev projects: Hasan Mahmud
Bangladesh and China are likely to sign around 20 MoUs and make announcements on inauguration of some development projects during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to China that begins on Monday eyeing stronger development and economic cooperation.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud came up with the updates while briefing the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (July 07, 2024) afternoon.
“Bangladesh will seek China's assistance in the areas of investment and trade; financial assistance and repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. At the same time, Bangladesh will continue to provide support to China as its friend in the global context,” he said.
Hasan expressed optimism that the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China will be successful and fruitful.
At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang of the State Council, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay the visit on July 8-11 which is expected to "outline a new blueprint for practical cooperation" in various fields and provide an opportunity for the two countries to coordinate their positions on regional and international affairs.
On the third day of the visit on July 10, the Prime Minister will meet Premier and State Council of China Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, Hasan said.
A reception will be organized in honor of the Prime Minister at the beginning of the meeting. There the Prime Minister will be given a guard of honor and received with due respect.
At the same place, the Prime Minister and State Council of China will hold a bilateral meeting with high-level delegations from the two countries.
The MoUs are likely to be signed in presence of the two leaders and inauguration of some projects will be announced.
Hasan said there is a possibility of signing MoUs on economic and banking sectors, trade and investment front, digital economy, infrastructure development, assistance in disaster management, construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh, disaster management and people-to-people connectivity.
The meeting will be followed by a banquet in honor of the Prime Minister, he said.
In the afternoon of July 10, the foreign minister said, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with President of China Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People.
Bangladesh and China will issue a joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister, he said.
Earlier on July 9, the Prime Minister will have a meeting with Jin Liqun, President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
On the same day, the Prime Minister will participate in the Shangri-La conference titled "Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and China."
A business delegation from Bangladesh will visit China to participate in the conference.
The Prime Minister will also hold a meeting with Wang Huning, Chairman of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
She will pay her tribute to the traditional Tiananmen Square.
She will also attend a dinner hosted by the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing.
Read more: Unlocking China’s market: Strategies for Bangladesh to enhance exports
During the Prime Minister's visit to China, Finance Minister AH Mahmood Ali, the Foreign Minister, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, State Minister fort Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other high level government officials will accompany the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister will leave Dhaka at 11am by Bangladesh Biman Airlines special flight and will land at Beijing International Airport at 6pm local time in China on the same day.
She will leave China on July 11 in a special Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight and land in Dhaka at 2pm.
Bangladesh’s Priorities
Responding to a question, Hasan said Bangladesh’s development and economic cooperation will get the priority.
He said there will be no agreements but only MoUs will be signed between the two countries.
Asked about various Chinese proposals, Hasan said Bangladesh accepts any proposal when it meets Bangladesh’s needs and set parameters.
“Any proposal from China is of course encouraging for us but we will take decision later after verification,” he said.
Responding to a question on offshore banking, the foreign minister said it is open for all and any individual or company can avail of the opportunity in Bangladesh.
Read more: Bangladesh to seek $7 billion fund from China to boost trade in business summit during PM's visit
“If any country wants to keep money in our central bank they can but the important issue is that with whom we are comfortable,” he added.
Responding to another question, Hasan said the renewal of the MoU between Bangladesh Awami League and Communist Party of China (CPC) may take place later, instead of during this visit.
He said a high-level AL delegation led by a presidium member will go to China later when the MoU can be renewed.
Hasan said there is huge trade gap between Bangladesh and China and the two countries will explore ways to export more from Bangladesh lifting non-tariff barriers.
He said Bangladesh has deep relations with China and the visit will help strengthen and widen the relations.
Responding to a question on Teesta, Hasan said Teesta is a joint river shared with India and they have given a proposal which is good.
Breakthroughs in Pragmatic Cooperation
Earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said they will reach an "important consensus" and sign multiple cooperation documents and MoUs in a number of areas during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official visit to Beijing.
The areas are infrastructure, free trade agreement, and agricultural product exports to China, Southern Bangladesh’s Development, digital economy, disaster prevention, poverty alleviation, clean energy, healthcare, education and cultural exchanges.
Through this visit, China said, the two sides will achieve “new breakthroughs in pragmatic cooperation”, bringing more benefits to the people of both countries, said the Ambassador who termed the forthcoming visit a milestone in bilateral relations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday said this will be Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's first visit to China since her new term began and five years after her last visit to China.
During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Premier Li Qiang will hold a welcoming ceremony and have talks with her.
The two prime ministers will attend the signing ceremony of cooperation documents.
"Leaders of the two countries will have an in-depth exchange of views on how to deepen traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation and on regional and international issues of mutual interest," said the Spokesperson.
Prime Minister Hasina will also attend the Summit on Trade, Business and Investment Opportunities between China and Bangladesh, she said.
"We have similar visions for development and well-aligned development strategies. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 49 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with respect and equality, engaged in mutually beneficial cooperation, supported each other on issues concerning our respective core interests, and jointly advanced modernization," said the Spokesperson.
She said they have set a good example of friendship and cooperation between developing countries.
In recent years, with the strategic guidance and commitment of leaders of our two countries, the two sides have deepened Bangladesh-China strategic cooperative partnership, and had fruitful and practical cooperation in various fields.
Read more: PM Hasina’s upcoming visit to boost China-Bangladesh cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues, says Ambassador
"China stands ready to work with Bangladesh through this visit to carry forward the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, deepen political mutual trust, further synergize development strategies, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, speed up implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and elevate our bilateral relations to a new level," said the Spokesperson.
The Chinese side said it stands ready to take this visit as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust between the two countries, strengthen the synergy of development strategies, consolidate traditional friendship, and work together to realize the Chinese Dream of National Rejuvenation and Bangladesh’s “Vision 2041”.
Dhaka congratulates NDA, hopeful of greater ties with Delhi
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today (June 05, 2024) congratulated the winning alliance led by BJP and the people of India for exercising their democratic rights in the just-held election in India.
The Foreign Minister also congratulated the Congress-led alliance INDIA.
“We congratulate NDA, INDIA and the people of India for continuing the democratic trend. It’s an inspiration and example of democracy,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while responding to a question.
The BJP emerged victorious on 240 out of 543 seats, while the Congress secured 99 seats. Despite the Lok Sabha having 543 members, counting was conducted for 542 seats following the uncontested election of BJP's Surat candidate, Mukesh Dalal.
Hasan said a new government will soon be formed in India and hoped that the relations between Bangladesh and India will reach to a new height with deeper cooperation and expansion of people-to-people ties.
Read more: PM Hasina to visit New Delhi June 21-22 and China July 9-12
“This is the choice of the Indian people. The same alliance will be in power. Our ties will continue. Our relationship with India is based on the spirit of 1971 Liberation War and bonded through shared sacrifice and blood,” said the Foreign Minister.
He said opposition parties in India play a responsible role which is not seen in Bangladesh.
Responding to a question on the water-sharing issue, Hasan said the government of Bangladesh deals with the central government of India and they will continue discussion on fair share of water of common rivers.
“We have excellent relations with India. This special relationship cannot be compared to anyone else,” Hasan said.
Read more: Dhaka's interest to join BRICS: Beijing assures its support to Dhaka
Donald Lu back in Dhaka next week; scope and thrust of visit likely to differ greatly from previous ones
US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu is likely to pay an official visit to Bangladesh soon.
A diplomatic source last week indicated that he might be in Dhaka on May 14 on a two-day visit which is seen as an opportunity to discuss ways for future cooperation.
The US Assistant Secretary is likely to discuss bilateral issues with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen apart from his courtesy meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and PM's adviser Salman F Rahman, the source told UNB.
After the January 7 national election, the US in a statement on January 8 said, "Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties."
Read more: Indian foreign secretary due Wednesday
In February this year, Eileen Laubacher, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia, US National Security Council (NSC); Michael Schiffer, USAID Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia; and Afreen Akhter, US Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, paid a three-day visit to Bangladesh.
"There is willingness from both sides. Together, we want to create a new chapter in our relations," Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud told reporters after his meeting with the US delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time.
"It's a pleasure for us to talk about our shared priorities and ways for us to cooperating together in the future," Eileen Laubacher told reporters in her very brief remarks.
Read more: Hasan Mahmud inaugurates Singapore High Commission in Dhaka
Hasan Mahmud attends "9th Our Ocean Conference" in Greece
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has attended the "9th Our Ocean Conference Greece 2024" held in Athens on April 16-17.
He led a delegation at the Conference which is a regular platform for governments, international organisations, academia, private sectors and NGOs to come together with the aim of sharing a common vision for the protection of oceans and taking actions to support this vision.
The conference was inaugurated by the Greek President through a video message, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the first day, apart from various plenary sessions on greening of the shipping sector, confronting plastic pollution, effective management of marine protected areas, ocean-climate nexus, the foreign minister participated in a high-level segment with the participation of Heads of State/Government, preceded by an event where the Geek Prime Minister delivered the keynote speech.
The foreign minister also took part in a working lunch hosted by the Greek foreign minister in honor of the participating toreign ministers.
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In the morning of 16th April, on the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister had a bilateral meeting with the Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
The ocean plays a key role in human existence; it is essential for people's survival, well-being and prosperity.
It provides food, regulates our climate, and generates most of the oxygen we breathe.
It also serves much of the world’s economy, supporting sectors from tourism to fisheries and to international shipping while it is connected to our culture and is a major source of inspiration.
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However, the health of seas and the ocean, and of marine ecosystems in particular, is threatened by unsustainable practices such as discharges of wastewater and marine litter, unregulated and unreported fishing, unsustainable shipping and tourism activities, said the speakers.
To mitigate the negative impacts from human interventions and improve the current state of our oceans, it is essential to join efforts on a global scale, they said.
Collaboration among nations, NGOs, private entities, academia, professional groups, civil society organisations and more, is of paramount importance for implementing effective solutions, fostering sustainable practices, and safeguarding the delicate equilibrium of oceans.
Read more: SeaKeepers Society: Making waves in ocean conservation
Foreign Minister sees progress in efforts to free hijacked ship, crew members
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday (March 28, 2024) said that there has been progress in the government’s efforts to free the Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean along with 23 sailors on board.
“Our aim is to rescue the sailors unharmed and at the same time rescue the ship. I just want to say that we have advanced much,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.
Govt trying to free the hijacked ship and bring back crew members safely as soon as possible: Foreign Minister
Hasan Mahmud said they are in contact and are making multifaceted efforts to rescue the crew members.
Pirates make maiden contact with MV Abdullah’s owner
Regarding the reported food shortage on the ship, he said food shortage has never happened in the past when ships have been hijacked. “Hopefully it won’t happen in this case either.”
After 9 days of taking the Bangladeshi ship and holding 23 sailors hostage, Somali pirates contacted the owners.
Owner of hijacked vessel MV Abdullah doesn’t want armed operation
Visit by Qatar's Emir to strengthen cooperation in manpower, energy, and investment: Foreign Ministry
Bangladesh and Qatar want to expand the existing ties with broader cooperation in the areas of manpower, energy, trade and investment following the planned visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Bangladesh next month.
The two countries are in discussion to finalise nearly a dozen of cooperation documents which will be signed during the visit, said a source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two-day visit is likely to take place on April 21-22, he said.
The two sides are now working on the MoUs and agreements that will be signed after the Emir’s meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already held an inter-ministerial meeting to discuss various aspects of the visit.
In March last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had a meeting with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDC5) in Doha.
She sought increased energy, particularly LNG, from Qatar to meet the energy demands.
The State of Qatar recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign State on March 4, 1974 following the 2nd OIC Summit held in February 1974.
Qatar assures support for Bangladesh's media sector development
Bangladesh opened its diplomatic mission in Doha on June 25, 1975. The State of Qatar reciprocated by opening its diplomatic mission in Dhaka in 1982.
Bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Qatar are based on mutual respect, shared values, common religious ground, shared culture, and tradition.
People-to-people contacts bolstered by more than four hundred thousand Bangladeshi workers who are highly appreciated as disciplined and hardworking is one of the dominant features of bilateral relations, according to the MoFA.
Bangladesh and Qatar consider each other as brotherly countries and important development partners in materialising Bangladesh’s Vision 2041 and Qatar’s vision 2030.
Read more: Bangladesh ambassador accredited to Hungary presents credentials to Hungarian president
Bangladesh to provide 190 acres of land in Kurigram for Bhutanese investors; discussion to import hydropower underway
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for Bhutanese investors.
He said Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India.
"We are in discussion to that end," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
He said Bhutan has a potential of producing 25,000 megawatts of hydropower.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will also import hydropower from Nepal and things are settled regarding that initiative.
Hasan said Bangladesh will construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country’s capacity.
He also briefed about the visit of the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Three new MoUs will be signed between Bangladesh and Bhutan while another MoU on cultural exchange will be renewed, said the Foreign Minister.
The new MoUs will be on establishing a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, Specialized Economic Zone in Kurigram and technological cooperation consumers’ rights protection.
The King, along with Bhutanese Foreign, Health, Industry and Commerce Ministers and the Bhutanese Queen, is scheduled to arrive on Monday morning on a four-day visit demonstrating the strong relations that Bangladesh and Bhutan have developed steadily since 1971.
"We have multifaceted relations with Bhutan," Minister Hasan said, adding that there is scope for boosting trade through transit and signing preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Bhutan.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the First Lady will receive the King amid gun salute and guard of honour.
The King is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10 am on Monday by a special flight, a senior official told UNB.
This is going to be the first VVIP visit to Bangladesh after the formation of new government following January 7 national election.
After the ceremony at the airport, he will go to Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 to pay tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
On Monday afternoon, the Bhutanese King will have a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office. They will have a one-to-one meeting.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will meet the King at his place of residence the same day before the meeting with the Prime Minister.
On Tuesday, the King will visit the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar.
The King will also visit Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery.
He will visit Bangabhaban where he will be received by the president and the first lady.
The King will have a meeting with the president at 4:30 pm on Tuesday.
The president will host iftar and dinner in honour of the visiting royal.
On Wednesday morning, the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and selected Bhutanese delegation members will leave Bangladesh for Bhutan by a special flight.
Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Rehana and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen will see them off at the airport.
The Bhutanese King will visit Padma Bridge and Bangladesh Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj.
On Thursday, the King will visit Kurigram Special Economic Zone.
He will leave Bangladesh territory for Golakganj, Assam via Sonahat Land Port on Thursday afternoon.
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for shipping, will see him off there.
The 4th King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, sent a letter of congratulations to the prime minister recently saying under her dynamic and strong leadership, Bangladesh has enjoyed peace, stability and unprecedented economic development.
He also termed Bhutan as a "close friend" and rejoiced with the people of Bangladesh on this occasion.
Bhutan was the first country to recognise the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6 in 1971 when the 3rd King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.
Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan share a special multidimensional bilateral relationship. Immediately after the independence, the Bhutanese government took initiative to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh and, consequently, formal diplomatic relations was established on 12 April 1973.
Bangladesh Consulate in Sittwe, Myanmar being moved temporarily
The Bangladesh Consulate in Sittwe, Myanmar will soon be shifted to Yangon on a temporary basis due to the current security situation there.
“A verbal instruction has already been given. Process is underway,” a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB on Sunday (February 11, 2024).
Other foreign missions stationed in Sittwe are also moving to Yangon on security grounds.
Read more: 327 Myanmar security forces taking shelter in Bangladesh: BGB
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said the process of sending back the Myanmar security forces who took shelter in Bangladesh is underway following discussions between the two countries.
He said it was not just the members of Myanmar's Border Guard Police (BGP) and army who had fled to Bangladesh, there were some civilians too. And over a hundred people have also entered India.
"They also took them back (from India). Several members of their families, along with their border forces and army, have also fled from Myanmar to our country. Our Ambassador had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Myanmar. Myanmar agreed to take them back," said the Foreign Minister.
Read more: Myanmar border unrest: Tourist ship services on Teknaf-Saint Martin’s route suspended indefinitely
Foreign Minister says will discuss Rohingya repatriation issue with India during his visit
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday (February 06, 2024) said that the Rohingya repatriation issue will be discussed with India during his first bilateral visit to New Delhi apart from discussion on overall bilateral issues.
He mentioned that Myanmar is a neighbouring country for both Bangladesh and India.
Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the minister said Bangladesh has been seeking India's support regarding the Rohingya repatriation. "So, overall this issue will be discussed," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last September where the Rohingya issue was discussed.
123 more Myanmar security forces including army men make their way into Bangladesh: BGB
With regard to the regional situation, Modi expressed appreciation of the burden shouldered by Bangladesh in hosting over a million persons displaced from the Rakhine State in Myanmar, and conveyed India's constructive and positive approach to support solutions towards safe and sustainable repatriation of the refugees.
Since the Foreign Minister will have a meeting with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the current security situation in Myanmar is likely to be discussed in the context of regional issues, said a diplomatic source.
The foreign minister is going to India tonight (Tuesday) and is scheduled to hold a meeting with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishanka on Wednesday.
The foreign minister is likely to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and will have a separate meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal during his stay in New Delhi.
He will also pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the iconic Rajghat.
Foreign Ministry summons Myanmar Ambassador
He is likely to attend a seminar, too.
Asked about BNP's comment that the Myanmar BGP members are entering Bangladesh and the conflicts are spilling into Bangladesh territory due to the government's “lenient foreign policy,” Hasan said BNP leaders were "speaking the language of the insane."
"BNP thought that the foreign countries will not welcome the new government of Bangladesh after the polls, but now that all are welcoming and expressing their interest to work with us, BNP is speaking the language of the insane," he said.
Though the Foreign Minister will go to New Delhi directly, he will return to Dhaka via Kolkata on Friday night (February 9), a senior official told UNB.
In Kolkata, he will attend a "meet the press" event and a reception, to be hosted by the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission.
Earlier, Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Seheli Sabrin, said issues of mutual interest including trade, connectivity and energy cooperation, people-to-people contacts and regional cooperation will be discussed between the two sides at the bilateral meeting to further strengthen Bangladesh-India relations.
Asked whether the Teesta water-sharing issue will be discussed in the meeting, the foreign ministry spokesperson said they expect the issue would be discussed.
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