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Indian high commissioner calls on state minister for tourism


Published : 27 Aug 2020 09:42 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 09:00 PM

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das called on the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday, said a press release.

During the meeting they discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the development of the tourism and aviation sectors between the two friendly neighbours. During the meeting, the state minister said, friendly relations between Bangladesh and India are long-standing.  Bangladesh always remember the contribution of Indian people in the great liberation war with gratitude. 

The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to further development of relations between the people of the two friendly states.  In reply, the Indian High Commissioner said, the relations between Bangladesh and India are based on strong base.  Day by day this relationship is getting stronger.  Strong relation will play an important role in the welfare of the people of the both countries.

Mahbub Ali said, it is necessary to create a field of regional cooperation in the development of the tourism industry in the region in the aftermath of covid-19.  The tourism industry in the region will be able to overcome the catastrophe caused by covid-19 through the mutual travel of the people of the neighbouring friendly countries. 

Mutual cooperation in the tourism and aviation sectors will help both countries to achieve their goals. Describing her excellent experience of traveling to the Sundarbans during her stay in Bangladesh, Riva Ganguly said Bangladesh is a country of immense potential for tourism. There is also a lot of potential for developing tourism relations between Bangladesh and India.  Work is underway to develop the infrastructure of the Shilaidaha Kuthibari in Kushtia, which is associated with Rabindra Smriti, with an Indian grant.  After its completion, a large number of people from West Bengal will travel to Bangladesh to visit it.

During the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner proposed the resumption of air services between Bangladesh and India, which had been suspended due to Covid-19, and raised the issue of joining the Indian Air Bubble.  He also informed the state minister about India’s interest in working for the development of the aviation sector in Bangladesh.  In reply, the state minister agreed on the need to resume air communication and said that steps would be taken soon through mutual communications.

During the meeting, the state minister said direct flights from Sylhet M A G Osmani International Airport to London will start soon.  The use of Sylhet M A G Osmani International Airport as a transit route will be much more convenient for the residents of the northeastern states of India to travel to different countries of the world, especially the United Kingdom. 

In response, the Indian High Commissioner agreed on it.

The Minister of State thanked the outgoing High Commissioner for his mutual cooperation in various matters during his stay in Bangladesh.  He also congratulated Mrs. Riva Das Ganguly on her appointment as Secretary (East) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.