New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday, marking the first bilateral state visit by a foreign leader since the formation of Modi’s government’s third term.
The meeting, attended by key Indian officials including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, underscores the importance of India-Bangladesh relations.
Sheikh Hasina, on a two-day state visit from June 21 to 22, received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan earlier in the day. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the frequency of meetings between the two leaders, noting they have met 10 times since 2019.
“Deepening India-Bangladesh Maitri!” Jaiswal posted on social media, emphasizing the “unprecedented transformations in the relationship” between the two nations.
Following the ceremonial welcome, Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The visit is expected to give a “major boost” to India-Bangladesh ties, according to Jaiswal.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar also met with PM Hasina on Friday, emphasizing the “close and abiding ties” between India and Bangladesh.
The year 2023 saw a surge in bilateral activities, reflecting the robust relationship between the two nations. The PM of India and Bangladesh jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 through a virtual ceremony.
Additionally, the PM of Bangladesh took part in the inaugural session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023, and again in the second session of the summit held virtually on November 17, 2023.