The News Freedom
New Delhi, February 7
External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, held bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, on Wednesday, followed by a dinner. The talks encompassed an array of bilateral relations, spanning cross-border connectivity, economic collaboration, defense and security cooperation, power and energy sectors, water resources, and people-to-people exchanges. Both ministers deliberated on future collaboration aligned with their respective national development agendas, including India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” and Bangladesh’s “Smart Bangladesh 2041” visions. Regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest were also on the agenda, with a shared commitment to bolster sub-regional cooperation within frameworks such as BIMSTEC, IORA, and BBIN.
Invited by India’s External Affairs Minister, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister embarked on an official visit from February 7 to 9, marking Mahmud’s inaugural bilateral visit to any country since assuming office in January 2024. Mahmud’s itinerary included paying homage at Rajghat, meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, a courtesy call on the President of India, and discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. His visit will conclude with a trip to Kolkata on February 9.
This visit underscores the ongoing high-level exchanges between India and Bangladesh, facilitating strategic discussions to shape future engagements during Bangladesh’s new government term. It builds upon previous bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Uganda last month, contributing to the enduring friendship and collaboration between the two nations.
Highlights
- External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar engaged in delegation-level talks with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud.
- Discussions covered various aspects of bilateral relations including cross-border connectivity, economic partnership, defense and security cooperation, power and energy sectors, water resources, and people-to-people exchanges.
- Both ministers reviewed progress and discussed future engagement aligned with national development goals such as “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Smart Bangladesh 2041” visions.
- Regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest were also discussed, with a commitment to strengthen sub-regional cooperation within frameworks like BIMSTEC, IORA, and BBIN.
- Mahmud’s official visit to India, his first bilateral visit to any country since assuming office, included meetings with key Indian officials such as National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
- The visit underscores ongoing high-level exchanges between the two countries and aims to chart out a course for forward-looking engagement during Bangladesh’s new government term.
- This visit contributes to further strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between India and Bangladesh.