Dhaka and Delhi seek more engagements to strengthen ties

Bangladesh-India flags

Dhaka, 24 February: Both the Foreign Secretaries of Bangladesh and India have underscored the need to work together to further deepen the multifaceted relations between the two countries. Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and his Indian counterpart Harsh Vardhan Shringla held a meeting in New Delhi today, where they discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interests.

Both the Foreign secretaries emphasised on all the major fields especially economic and commercial, border management, counter-terrorism, water sharing, connectivity and people-to-people contact. They expressed their satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the two countries during the meeting that was held today in New Delhi.

Both the Foreign Secretaries also discussed the possibilities of future engagements as well as important high-level visits in the upcoming months.

They noted that 2021 was a landmark year as both the countries were celebrating the 50th year of establishment of diplomatic relationship and witnessed the landmark visits of the President and the Prime Minister of India to Bangladesh which had immensely contributed in consolidating the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Foreign Secretary Momen enumerated that India is the closest and most important neighbor of Bangladesh and assured his Indian counterpart that the Government of Bangladesh is committed to sustain the momentum of having a friendly relation with India which is based on mutual trust and respect. Foreign Secretary sought India’s cooperation in resolving the outstanding issues, especially early completion of the water sharing agreement of the common rivers including Teesta. He urged the Foreign Secretary of India to extend necessary support to facilitate the early, safe, secure and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar. 

Foreign Secretary Shringla thanked Ambassador Masud for visiting him in New Delhi and emphasized on the regular interactions at the Foreign Secretary level. He reiterated India’s commitment in working together to support each other in various platforms including the United Nations. He noted that the newly established Bangladesh Mission in Chennai would further facilitate the relations between the two countries especially with the Southern States of India. He also emphasized on the joint celebration of events of bilateral significance as the celebrations of Moitri Dibosh (Friendship Day) in some selected cities across the globe could successfully project the historic relations between the two countries. He also reiterated the commitment of the Government of India in fast tracking of various projects  undertaken under the Indian Line of Credit in Bangladesh.  

Foreign Secretary Momen requested the Indian Foreign Secretary to extend his support in completing Shadhinota Sharak and hand over the historic building at 8, Theatre Road, which served as the headquarters of the first Bangladesh Government in 1971, as Bangladesh is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of her independence. Both the Foreign Secretaries emphasized on going back to normalcy as COVID-19 situation improved satisfactorily. They discussed commencing bus and rail services between different cities which were suspended due to COVID–19 pandemic. Both the Foreign Secretaries also discussed regional cooperation and contemporary global issues.   

Earlier, on 23 February 2022 Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen visited the newly opened Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Chennai. He arrived in India yesterday on a two day visit. During his visit, he was briefed by the Deputy High Commissioner about the various activities and initiatives taken to make the Mission fully functional. Foreign Secretary exchanged his views with Mission’s officials and urged them to work sincerely to promote relations of Bangladesh with all the southern states of India and also extend necessary consular assistance for thousands of Bangladeshis visiting every year to these cities for medical treatments. 

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Muhammad Imran, Secretary (East) Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams and Director General (South Asia) Rokebul Haque were among the delegation of the Foreign Secretary during the visit. Foreign Secretary is expected to return to Bangladesh on the 25th February 2022. – PID Handout