New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks on Saturday with Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aiming to enhance cooperation across various sectors including trade and connectivity.Prime Minister engaged in extensive discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to boost cooperation across various fields such as trade and connectivity. This visit was the first bilateral state visit since the Lok Sabha elections. The discussions primarily centered around trade, connectivity, and energy, aiming to strengthen strategic ties between the two nations.
This visit, which began on Friday, marks the first bilateral state visit by a foreign leader following India's recent Lok Sabha elections.
"PM @narendramodi welcomed PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh to Hyderabad House for their bilateral discussions," announced external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Saturday.
Since 2019, Modi and Hasina have met on ten occasions, marking significant progress in bilateral relations. Leading up to the talks, Prime Minister Hasina paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and received ceremonial honors at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Officials indicated that Modi and Hasina aimed to inject new vigor into bilateral ties, focusing particularly on trade, connectivity, and the energy sectors.
The Indian Prime Minister introduced his cabinet colleagues to Sheikh Hasina at the receiving line. In turn, the Bangladesh Prime Minister introduced her entourage members to Modi.
Among those present were Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder, Power Division Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited Chairman Dr. Shahjahan Mahmood, Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shameem, Railways Secretary Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir, ERD Secretary Md. Shariar Kader Siddiky, Press Secretary M. Nayeemul Islam Khan, Speech Writer M. Nazrul Islam, Awami League Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah, and other members of her entourage.
Hasina was among the prominent leaders who attended Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9, representing India's neighborhood and the Indian Ocean region.
In recent years, India and Bangladesh have witnessed remarkable growth in their strategic partnership.
Bangladesh, a crucial ally under India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, collaborates extensively in areas such as security, commerce, energy, and defense.
Bangladesh, as India's largest development partner, greatly benefits from New Delhi's commitment under various lines of credit.
The two nations share a border spanning 4096.7 kilometers, the longest land boundary India shares with any neighbor, fostering active cooperation in policing, anti-corruption measures, and combating various illicit activities.
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