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Updated April 28th, 2022 at 23:20 IST

EAM Jaishankar asserts bilateral talks with Bangladesh counterpart a reflection of 'trust'

EAM Jaishankar visited Dhaka, Bangladesh for a brief official visit and to hold bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen.

Reported by: Vibhuti Sanchala
EAM Jaishankar
Image: ANI | Image:self
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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, on April 28, visited Dhaka, Bangladesh, for a brief official visit and to hold bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart AK Abdul Momen. After the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar said that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, both India and Bangladesh have remained regularly in touch with each other in boosting bilateral ties. 

While addressing the Joint Press Interaction in Dhaka, S Jaishankar said, "My visit today, is aimed at continuing the progress in deepening our engagement. It is in keeping with the strength and spirit of our bilateral ties. As neighbours, the regularity and the informality and the cordiality of our interaction is a very good reflection of trust and confidence."

EAM Jaishankar further informed that he had the privilege to call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday afternoon and convey the greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "We discussed a number of issues. We reviewed bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues."

Further speaking about the 7th round of the Joint Consultative Commission, EAM Jaishankar said, "This meeting will provide a good opportunity to lay the ground for the next level of our relationship which we hope would be underlined when the Prime Minister visits India." In view of strong people-to-people connections, the EAM noted that the connectivity between the two countries is back to pre-COVID levels.

"We are looking at resuming cross-border bus and railway services shortly after Eid. I am also very encouraged to see that decisions are taken by our leaders last year to commemorate Maitree Diwas in 18 capitals apart from Dhaka and New Delhi, the establishment of the first Bangabandhu Chair in India, the Suborno Jayanti Scholarships for students from Bangladesh, and the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition have all been implemented. These are all in keeping with the spirit of solidarity between us which we hope to pass on to the younger generations," EAM Jaishankar said.

India looks forward to stronger sub-regional cooperation in connectivity, other areas: EAM Jaishankar

EAM Jaishankar also expressed satisfaction that the trade, disbursement of loans on bilateral projects, travel services, and investment are at new heights. He said that they have recovered the momentum which was lost during the pandemic. He further asserted that India also looks forward to stronger sub-regional cooperation in connectivity and other areas. 

"The energy sector, particularly the hydropower domain, offers opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries in the region. India is a large producer and consumer of energy and we are very glad to work with our neighbours in that regard, including in the BBIN framework. And I want to say that India will continue to take the lead to structure progressive partnerships for production, transmission, and trade in our region in this area," EAM Jaishankar stated.

EAM Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh and Bhutan starting today, April 28. The top diplomat was welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh A.K. Abdul Momen and other bureaucrats at Bangladesh Air Force Base, Bangabandhu, on Thursday. 

Image: ANI

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Published April 28th, 2022 at 23:20 IST

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