Strengthening India-Bangladesh bilateral ties: Foreign Secretary Kwatra visits Dhaka
| 2024-05-09
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, in Dhaka on May 9, 2024.
Bangladesh is India’s leading development partner and its largest trade partner in the region
In a significant diplomatic engagement, India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra paid an official visit to Bangladesh from May 8 to May 9, 2024. This was Kwatra's first visit to Bangladesh following the formation of the new government in January 2024, highlighting the importance both nations attach to their bilateral relationship.
"The visit to Bangladesh is keeping in line with the highest priority accorded to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (May 9, 2024).
Foreign Secretary Kwatra met with several key Bangladeshi dignitaries, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud, and his counterpart, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen. These meetings emphasized the importance of solidifying the Indo-Bangladeshi partnership and reaffirming India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
According to the MEA, during the visit, Foreign Secretary Kwatra reviewed the wide-ranging bilateral relationship including political and security, water, trade and investment, power and energy, defence, connectivity and sub-regional cooperation.
It is worth noting that Bangladesh is India’s leading development partner and its largest trade partner in the region. Foreign Secretary Kwatra's visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties and impart momentum to the cooperation in diverse areas, the MEA noted.
Implications for Future Collaboration
Foreign Secretary Kwatra's visit comes at a crucial time when India and Bangladesh are striving to navigate the evolving geopolitical landscape of the region. The bilateral discussions provided an opportunity to address mutual challenges and explore new areas of cooperation.
India's proactive engagement with its neighbours, exemplified by this visit, reaffirms its commitment to building a stable, peaceful, and prosperous South Asian region. The comprehensive review of the various facets of the bilateral relationship showcases the depth of the Indo-Bangladesh partnership and indicates that both nations are poised to unlock fresh opportunities through enhanced collaboration.
The official visit by Foreign Secretary Kwatra to Bangladesh serves as a testament to the enduring and strategic partnership between India and Bangladesh. By continuing to work together on political, economic, and security issues, both countries are on track to cultivate a stronger and more prosperous relationship, one that is rooted in mutual respect, shared aspirations, and a commitment to regional stability.
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