Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's state visit to India underlines their "close and abiding" ties.
"Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this (Friday) evening. Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership," he said after meeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The meeting was held at the Hotel Taj Palace in the Indian capital.
Jaishankar shared the message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbour of India. The visit will give a major boost to this celebrated bilateral partnership," Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said after arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi.
Prime Minister's Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, among others, were present.
At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is paying a state visit to India on 21-22 June 2024.
This is the first incoming bilateral state visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections.
During the visit, apart from holding bilateral consultations with the Indian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9, 2024.
A flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage members landed at Palam Airport in New Delhi at 3:29pm (local time).
Earlier, the flight departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:00pm.
Indian Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change and also Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman received Sheikh Hasina at the airport.
The prime minister was welcomed by traditional folks dancing there.
Both sides of the roads were decorated with the flags of Bangladesh and India, and placards of Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi.
Various types of placards in different languages welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were seen on both sides of the roads from Palam Airport to Hotel Taj Palace.
This is the first bilateral visit by any head of government to India after the BJP-led alliance formed its government for the third consecutive term.
PM’s Engagements in New Delhi
During the visit, both the premiers will have a tête-à-tête (one to one meeting) followed by delegation level talks, and then Dhaka and New Delhi would sign several agreements and Memorandum of understandings to strengthen the existing bilateral ties further.
Additionally, discussions on a potential trade pact are expected. Over the past decade, numerous cross-border initiatives have been launched as part of a robust regional partnership plan.
This visit will be Hasina’s second trip to the Indian capital in less than 15 days, as she was among the dignitaries invited to Modi's swearing-in ceremony on June 9.
On Friday evening, Minister of External Affairs of India S Jaishankar will call on the Prime Minister at her Place of Residence.
On Saturday morning, a red carpet will be rolled out at Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by her Indian counterpart through a Ceremonial Reception where the National Anthems of Bangladesh and India will be played. She will also inspect the Guard of Honour there.
After that, she will go to Raj Ghat to pay tribute to the Father of the Indian Nation Mahatma Gandhi by placing a wreath at his Samadhi. She will also sign the visitor’s book there.
Later on the same day, Hasina will go to Hyderabad House to hold a one-to-one meeting with Modi followed by delegation level talks.
Both will witness the signing ceremony of the MoUs and agreements. After that, both the prime ministers will give their press statements.
Then they will attend a luncheon hosted by PM Modi in honour of PM Hasina at Hyderabad House.
In the afternoon, Hasina will call on the Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar at his Secretariat.
In the evening she will call on the President of India Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
At 6:00pm (Delhi time), the prime minister is expected to depart the India capital from Palam Airport, New Delhi by a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which is scheduled to land in Dhaka at about 9:00pm.
