Expressing optimism over strengthening the Dhaka-Delhi relations, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said there will be a visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the dates have not yet been finalised.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already invited Prime Minister Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman to pay a visit to India at a convenient time, an official told UNB, referring to Prime Minister Modi’s letter to his Bangladesh Prime Minister.
“A warm welcome awaits you in India,” Modi said in his recent letter handed over to PM Tarique by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha Om Birla who represented the government of India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government of Bangladesh.
“There will be a visit. We have not yet done the dates. Of course, in the run-up to the visit, we will have activities,” Dr Khalilur told the Indian media during his visit to Mauritius.
Talking to World Is One News in Mauritius, the Foreign Minister said leaders of the two countries had not only exchanged letters but had also spoken.
He said both the leaders wanted to advance the relationship and it is a relationship that is consequential for both the countries.
The Foreign Minister returned home on Saturday after visiting India and Mauritius, a senior official told UNB.
“The visit and the meetings that I had (in India) were very productive. We talked about how to carry it forward. So, I am hopeful in this objective that we will be carrying forward our work in next few weeks and I feel reasonably optimistic,” Dr Khalilur said in Mauritius, adding that both the countries are willing to engage and talk to take the relationship forward.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman in New Delhi on April 08. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was also present at the meeting.
The Indian External Affairs Minister reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new government and further strengthen bilateral ties.
The two sides agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms.
Follow-on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date, said the Indian side, noting that both sides exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
During the visit, Foreign Minister Rahman also met the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.