Handout                                                                                                           Number : 528

Foreign Minister calls on Indian Prime Minister

New Delhi (India), February 7 :

Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi, India and conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also conveyed her appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for extending congratulations upon the victory of Awami League in the parliamentary elections held in December 2018 as the first foreign leader.

 Prime Minister Modi mentioned that the partnership between Bangladesh and India is flourishing under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He reaffirmed India’s sincere commitment for Bangladesh’s prosperity and development. He viewed that Bangladesh-India relations is a model between two neighbouring countries which needs to be showcased for wider audience around the world.

 Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen expressed his satisfaction on the excellent bilateral relations that exist between the two countries which has grown and prospered, especially with the statesmanship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Modi. He stressed that Bangladesh would continue her resolve in further strengthening and deepening her relations with India in the coming days. He recalled that the two countries amicably resolved the longstanding problems which is much appreciated by the respective peoples. Foreign Minister mentioned about the remarkable progress Bangladesh has achieved during the last few years in the socio-economic sectors under the Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also elaborated on the road map of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to realize the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build Bangladesh as Sonar Bangla.

 While thanking Prime Minister Modi for India's humanitarian assistance to Rohingyas, Bangladesh Foreign Minister requested India’s support for early repatriation of the Rohingys to Rakhine State of Myanmar. Prime Minister Modi reiterated that India is always with Bangladesh and assured of India’s cooperation in this regard.

 Foreign Minister Dr. Momen also called on the former Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Dr. Anand Sharma.  Foreign Minister Momen conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Dr. Manmohan Singh. They expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India. Dr. Manmohan Singh conveyed congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for being elected as the Prime Minister for the third time. Dr. Manmohan Sigh noted that early repatriation of Rohingyas is a priority and assured that they will be supporting the government of India in any initiative to expedite repatriation of Rohingyas to Rakhine State. He hoped that both countries would be able to resolve the remaining outstanding issues between the two countries including the Teesta Water sharing soon.

 Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen is visiting New Delhi on his maiden official tour abroad as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh to attend the 5^th meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission on 8^th February 2019, co-chaired by the Foreign/External Affairs Ministers of Bangladesh and India. After the JCC meeting both sides are expected to sign few MoUs. Foreign Minister is expected to return Dhaka on 9 February 2019.

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Tohidul/Mahmud/Parvez/Salim/2019/1920 Hrs.