Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will arrive in New Delhi today on a four day state visit to India. During her visit, Ms Hasina will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar. She will hold bilateral consultations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will call on the visiting dignitary this evening.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister last visited New Delhi in October 2019. External Affairs Ministry said that both sides have sustained high level of engagement, including at the highest level, in recent years.
Bangladesh is an important partner under India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. Bilateral cooperation extends to all fields including security, trade and commerce, power and energy, transport and connectivity, science and technology, defence, rivers, and maritime affairs. Bangladesh is now India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia.
Bilateral trade has grown from 9 billion to 18 billion dollars in the last five years. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh independence, 50 years of bilateral relationship and 100th birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Maitri diwas celebrations were held in 20 capitals around the world including Delhi and Dhaka. This visit will further strengthen the multifaceted relationship between the two countries based on strong historical and cultural ties.