This is Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud’s first official visit to India and his first bilateral visit to any country after assuming office as the new foreign minister of Bangladesh in January 2024. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina swept to a fourth straight term in power, with her party winning almost 75% of the seats in the January 7 general election.
So, this bilateral meeting is very crucial for Bangladesh and India as the two neighbouring countries agreed to carry forward their existing bilateral relations, which reached a newer height during the tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the last few years.
All know the relationship between Bangladesh and India is “written with blood”. The two nations believe Dhaka-New Delhi ties is “rock solid’ based on shared values, principles and confidence, touching almost every sphere of our lives. Very few countries in the world share such close fraternal ties as Bangladesh and India do. The Dhaka-Delhi’s partnership today stands out as a role model in the region for good neighbourly relations.
So, Tuesday’s bilateral meeting in New Delhi between Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud and his Indian Counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar will help strengthen the ‘rock-solid’ bond further. During the talks they have reached a consensus to work together to resolve the crisis created after the influx of displaced persons from Myanmar and prevailing security situation in the bordering state.
Two neighboring countries
agreed to carry forward their
existing bilateral relations
India had assured Bangladesh of cooperation to overcome the existing Rohingya when Dhaka sought New Delhi’s support to this end. Apart from India, we think the other countries of the world especially China and USA must take proper measures to compel Myanmar to create conditions enabling the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Rohingyas to their homeland.
The two foreign ministers had discussed wide range of issues including border security, import of essential commodities, Teesta water sharing agreement, issues on common rivers and of course the prevailing situation in Myanmar. However, they discussed the Myanmar issue in details as both the countries are sharing their borders with Myanmar. Both sides also discussed how they can take forward their multi-dimensional relations through BIMSTEC and BBIN framework for the benefit of their people. Dr Hasan Mahmud and Dr Jaishankar agreed to take effective steps to strengthen the relationship further.
They also focused on a range of regional issues, including the maintenance of stability in South Asia, and ways to bolster cooperation in areas such as security, trade and energy. We believe that this fruitful and open discussion between the two foreign ministers in a very cordial atmosphere will speed up settling of the outstanding issues between the two sides and benefit the people of both the countries. Both the foreign ministers agreed to accelerate their ongoing efforts and activities to enhance bilateral and regional connectivity with India including rail and road link. Bilateral relation between the two countries is a role model for neighbourhood diplomacy.
The Bangladesh-India relationship has seen ‘transformative changes’, reaching a new height with significant achievements through cooperation and collaboration. Over the last few years, India and Bangladesh scripted a golden chapter in partnership. We have many stumbling blocks in our path but we will surely surmount those through our collaborative efforts.