Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is on a two-day visit to India from Friday, is expected to sign several agreements of bilateral cooperation during the trip.
She was among the leaders of seven regional countries invited to New Delhi for the inauguration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term on June 9, and her deciding to undertake a bilateral visit within a fortnight shows the importance attached by Bangladesh to the relations with India.
Bangladesh’ s plans to develop its section of the Teesta river and the signing of other bilateral cooperation are expected to top the agenda for her two-day visit.
The Bangladesh prime minister is also expected to visit China next month to balance Dhaka’s ties with Beijing.
Soon after she reached New Delhi, India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar met her to discuss bilateral ties.
“Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underlines our close and abiding ties,” Jaishankar said on the X after the meeting.
“Appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership,” the Indian minister added.
Meanwhile, External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a regular media briefing that Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbor of India.
Hasina’s visit will give a major boost to the “celebrated bilateral partnership”, he observed.
This is also the first incoming state visit by a foreign leader after the formation of Modi.3 government.
According to official sources, Hasina is scheduled to meet Modi on Saturday morning.
Earlier in the day, newly-appointed External Affairs Minister of State (MoS) Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed the visiting Bangladesh leader at the airport.
As many as 10 agreements covering a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation, including one on collaboration between defence training institutions, are expected to be signed on Saturday.
