The bonding between the two countries is central to the realization of the dream of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive South Asia, he said

Reiterating Bangladesh’s centrality to India’s Neighbourhood First and Act East Policy, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held the country to be a key neighbor and valued partner of India not only in South Asia but also the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“We see Bangladesh as a key neighbour and a valued partner not only in South Asia but also in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Every outcome and achievement in our relationship resonates through this region. It is no secret that we cite it to others as an example for emulation,” Jaishankar remarked during his official visit to Dhaka today.

The External Affairs Minister while speaking at a Joint Press Conference with Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen noted that this year was very special as both countries mark Mujib Barsho, 50 years of Bangladesh’s Liberation and 50 years of bilateral relationship.

Pointing out that India’s relations with Bangladesh transcend strategic partnership, Jaishankar said that the bonding between the two is central to the realization of a dream of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive South Asia.

Informing that preparations are on for the planned visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka later this month, he stated that the visit would surely be a very memorable one.

He added that PM Modi's visit will be his first outside India since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and his second to Bangladesh as the Prime Minister.

Exemplifying the multidimensional relationship, ranging from security, trade, transport and connectivity, culture, people-to-people ties, energy, joint development of our shared resourses and defence, he pointed out that now the comfort levels are so high that there is no issue that cannot be resolved through amicable dialogue.

Jaishankar expressed satisfaction that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, interactions and consultations between the two have continued unabated. The pandemic has actually provided an opportunity to affirm the friendship between the two countries, he said.

He mentioned that Bangladesh is the largest recipient of Made in India vaccines and India’s largest gift of 2 million vaccines was also to Bangladesh.

The External Affairs Minister gave some recent examples on cooperation between the two sides such like conducting a trial run of container cargo through Chattogram Port to Agartala, adding two new Protocol routes to inland waterways connecting Tripura to national waterways in Bangladesh, handing over 10 BG locomotives, commencing movement of container and parcel trains and forming a JV in the energy sector.

Commending Bangladesh’s successful graduation from Least Developed Country status of UN, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said that it was truly a tribute to the country's miraculous socio-economic progress and a reflection of the statesmanship and leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.