Just concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi was marked by a number of successes for Bangladesh and by bringing its Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in diplomatic spotlight.
New windows of opportunities and cooperation were opened for boosting bilateral trade, commerce and cooperation in various sectors.
Although Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the Summit as a guest, she became the focal point of discussion by the global leaders.
Her participation in the summit has ushered in a new era of relationship with different countries and their leaders.
Leaders from the USA, Russia, Britain, France, India, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Argentina and many other global leaders expressed their willingness to strengthen relationship and to extend support to Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as well. They are also willing to expand trade and commerce bilaterally.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had attended the G20 Summit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India's G20 presidency began in December 2022 and during this presidency term, it invited a total of nine countries including Bangladesh to attend the G20 summit.
The countries invited are- Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
Sheikh Hasina reached New Delhi on September 8, day before the two-day- long G20 Summit began on September 9.
After reaching New Delhi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first bilateral meeting was held with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 8 with a vow of renewing commitment for deeper collaboration.
Both the leaders reiterated their firm commitment to further strengthening the excellent bilateral relations existing between the two friendly neighbours.
During the meeting, both the Prime Ministers held discussions on a wide range of issues covering most of the aspects of the relationship. They noted with satisfaction the achievements made in a number of areas of mutual interest, since the last State visit of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to New Delhi in September 2022.
She expressed satisfaction over the recent increase in bilateral trade between the two countries and emphasized ensuring smooth and supply of essential commodities from India to Bangladesh. She sought India’s support for early repatriation of the Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the unprecedented developments achieved in various socio-economic sectors of Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He suggested settling the outstanding issues between the two countries through discussions at the official level.
Three separate Memorandums of Understanding were also signed between the two countries on agricultural research and education, cultural exchange and international payment between the countries.
At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended different sessions and delivered two speeches under the main theme of the summit "One Earth, One Family, One Future".
During "One Earth" and "One Family" sessions, the Bangladesh premier underscored how to address the challenges like climate change, economic recovery after Covid pandemic, war in Europe resulting in the severe disruption of global supply of the essential commodities such as fuel, food and fertiliser.
She also presented the experience of Bangladesh's incredible success in various socio-economic fields during the tenure of the current government before the participating world leaders.
She also joined the concluding session of the conference where the "G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration" was adopted.
An informal and maiden meeting between US President Joe Biden and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter Saima Wazed was the most discussed about matter in the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hasina and Joe Biden exchanged greetings to each other narrowing a gap between the two countries and their leaders.
Besides, Biden also praised Saima Wazed for her important works on autism and mental health.
Experts think, although the meeting was short, it would help make a dramatic change in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Another maiden bilateral meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also said to be a sign of a warm relationship developing between the two countries. The meeting was held on Friday afternoon on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
During the meeting, British Prime Minister’s courtesy and honour to Sheikh Hasina drew the attention of the entire world.
The informal bilateral meeting with Sheikh Hasina revealed the warmth of the relationship between the two leaders.
Besides, during her tour on the occasion of the G20 Summit, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had bilateral meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Argentine President Alberto Angel Fernandez, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Besides, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian President Droupadi Murmu and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, among others, also held talks with Sheikh Hasina.
During the meeting, Prince Salman praised Bangladesh Prime Minister for her inspirational leadership in achieving remarkable socio-economic development in Bangladesh over the recent years.
He said that Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would work together to enhance cooperation in all possible areas and assured Bangladesh Prime Minister of his full support in this regard.
Prince Salman expressed his satisfaction about the ongoing investment made by the Saudi investors in various projects in Bangladesh, including Patenga terminal, Payra port and ACUWA Renewable Energy project.
He mentioned with gratitude that nearly 2.8 million Bangladeshis are making significant contribution to his country’s economy with their hard work and due diligence. Prince Salman also thanked Bangladesh Prime Minister for supporting Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2030 World Cup.
Bangladesh Prime Minister congratulated the Saudi Crown Prince for embarking on and achieving a number of social reforms in Saudi Arabia and for attaining numerous diplomatic successes in recent times.
She also invited him to visit Bangladesh. Prince Salman accepted her invitation and expressed his willingness to visit Bangladesh.
The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was also fruitful. At the meeting, both the leaders agreed to further deepen cooperation in culture, trade & commerce and people to people contact.
In another bilateral meeting with Sheikh Hasina, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday lauded Bangladesh Prime Minister for ensuring Bangladesh's remarkable socio-economic development and assured more investment in Bangladesh from UAE.
During a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Argentine President Dr. Alberto Fernandez said that Bangladesh people have won the heart of Argentine people through their support for Argentine football.
Prime Minister of Bangladesh thanked the Argentine President for opening Embassy in Dhaka and expressed her willingness to deepen cooperation in areas like sports, trade, agriculture, agro-processing etc.
The G20 Summit is also marked by the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who had come to Dhaka on a two-day tour on the day before the summit.
Besides, French President Emmanuel Macron also arrived in Dhaka on Sunday after attending the New Delhi summit. His Dhaka visit is also expected to reach the Dhaka-Paris relations to a new height.
Earlier, During the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also held bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders on the side lines of the Summit.
The leaders include Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi, Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Tanzania President Dr Saima Sulluhu and NDB New Development Bank President Mrs Dilma Vana Roussrff.
During the meetings, they discussed issues of bilateral interests as well as various regional and international issues.
After returning to Dhaka Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina briefed the outcomes of her participation in the BRICS Summit.
She said that global leaders got a better picture of Bangladesh's socio-economic development achieved under her leadership as she participated in the BRICS summit.
Sheikh Hasina said that she informed the international community about the various preparations and activities undertaken by her government to build 'Smart Bangladesh' through the implementation of Vision 2041.
She also called upon the countries of the South to reject the inequality imposed on them in the name of universal rule.
She hoped that the initiative to establish Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development, and Inclusive Multilateralism through this conference will be fruitful.
In her written statement, Hasina mentioned that she urged the investors worldwide, particularly from South Africa, to explore the numerous investment prospects within Bangladesh investing in various sectors.
She also urged them to participate in Bangladesh’s advancement and make the country reach the goal to become a trillion-dollar economy and a fully developed smart nation by 2041.
During the BRICS Summit, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President XI at Hotel Hilton, Sandton where the Chinese leader said that his country wants a solution to the Rohingya problem and expressed interest to help Bangladesh in energy and renewable energy and infrastructure development.
Bangladesh and China being strategic partners have reiterated their commitment to fulfil their mutual interest.
Hasina also attended a banquet and cultural show with the BRICS leaders and others invited to the BRICS Leaders Dialogue and other guests at Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg.
The prime minister attended the BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Dialogues and delivered her address there at Sandton Convention Center in the morning.
In her speech, Hasina urged the global leaders to take responsibility for peace, justice and stability around the world.
Sheikh Hasina highlighted Bangladesh’s success in women empowerment to the world leaders.