Hasina-Modi talks in Delhi today
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meetingat the Hyderabad House in New Delhi today.
Hasina reached the Indian capital yesterday afternoon on a two-day state visit which is aimed at advancing the bilateral relationship.
Indian State Minister for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh welcomed her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
Her visit is taking place after the general elections in both the countries this year. The premier along with several other international leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony of Modi and his cabinet ministers on June 9.
In September last year, Hasina had a meeting with the Indian prime minister on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.
Diplomatic sources said nearly a dozen agreements and MoUs on areas of mutual cooperation, including regional connectivity, power, economy, and digital technology, are likely to be signed today.
The Teesta river management project, border killing, and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement could be on the agenda of today's bilateral meeting between Bangladesh and India.
Before the formal meeting, the two prime ministers will hold one-to-one meeting at the Hyderabad House.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud joined the entourage of Hasina in New Delhi yesterday after performing hajj in Saudi Arabia.
JAISHANKAR MEETS HASINA
During her meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar yesterday evening, Hasina called for sustained dialogues between Bangladesh and India to exchange ideas and experiences to overcome the challenges in their journey towards economic development.
The Indian minister called on Hasina at hotel Taj Palace in New Delhi, reports our New Delhi correspondent.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah said the two leaders discussed advancing the partnership between the two countries.
"The two new governments [of India and Bangladesh] have come to power with mandates [from people]. So, the two countries will have new visions," he said.
The Indian minister said his country wants to work with Bangladesh in a more substantive way in the areas of logistics, energy, and connectivity.
Hasina and Jaishankar agreed to strengthen BIMSTEC.
The premier emphasised speeding up the ongoing developmental projects involving the two neighbours. The two leaders agreed on the issue.
On Rohingya issue, the principal secretary said border areas of Bangladesh and India are being affected by the ongoing fighting between the Myanmar government forces and rebel groups.
Prime Minister's Private Industries and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman F Rahman and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, among others, were present.
After the meeting, Jaishankar wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Hasina's state visit to India underlines the "close and abiding" ties between Bangladesh and India, reports UNB.
"Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this [Friday] evening. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership," he said.
'INVEST IN BANGLADESH'
During another meeting with a delegation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) yesterday evening, Hasina called upon Indian businesspeople to invest in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh government gives priority to the neighbouring countries for trade, business and investment, PM's Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman quoted Hasina as saying while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Hasina said Bangladesh is setting up 100 special economic zones and the Indian entrepreneurs can invest there.
The CII team told Hasina that they in collaboration with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) want to work in Bangladesh's different sectors, including agriculture, IT and logistics.
He said Bangladeshi businesspeople raised the issue of non-tariff barriers and urged the CII delegation to prevail upon the Indian government to address the issue.
FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Nitol Niloy Group Chairman Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Pran RFL Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury and some other leading Bangladeshi businesspeople were also present.
Today morning, red carpet will be rolled out for Hasina at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she will received formally by Modi. She will also inspect the guard of honour there.
Hasina is scheduled to visit Raj Ghat to pay tribute to the Father of the Indian Nation Mahatma Gandhi by placing a wreath at his Samadhi. She will sign the visitor's book there.
The premier will attend a luncheon hosted by Modi at the Hyderabad House.
Hasina is expected to call on Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The PM is scheduled to depart the India capital from Palam Airport at 6:00pm (Delhi time) and reach Dhaka around 9:00pm.
Yesterday, Hasina departed the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a chartered flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 2:00pm.
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