Staff Reporter:
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma yesterday said that New Delhi eyes on gaining a “greater momentum” in the existing excellent India-Bangladesh bilateral ties as the Awami League
government resumed office after the January 7 parliament election.
“We (India) are very hopeful and confident that in the next new term of this (Bangladesh) government, we will be able to achieve even greater momentum in our bilateral partnership,” he told reporters after holding a courtesy meeting with newly appointed foreign minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the foreign
ministry here.
The envoy expressed his optimism that New Delhi and Dhaka would also be able to further strengthen its development partnership to contribute even more robustly to the national developments of the two neighboring countries.
“We have always said that India stands always ready to help people of Bangladesh, to work with people of Bangladesh in realizing their vision for stable, progressive and prosperous society guided by our long standing friendship and inspired by our shared sacrifice in the Liberation War,” he said.
The envoy termed his maiden meeting with the new Bangladesh foreign minister as “very good” and said he looks forward to closer cooperation with the foreign ministry in the coming days.
Verma said that the two countries would explore further areas of cooperation, contribute to the growing development and build peaceful, stable, and prosperous societies.
“(During the meeting) We Explored some of the things that we would like to do for the future including the area of climate change, digital economy …how we can support Bangladesh prime minister’s vision of building Smart Bangladesh by 2041,” he said.
It was Mahmud’s first ever meeting with any foreign envoy after assuming office as the Foreign Minis-ter.
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar congratulated Dr Hasan Mahmud on his ap-pointment as Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
During yesterday’s meeting, the Indian High Commissioner also invited the foreign minister to visit New Delhi, foreign office sources said.
