PM holds bilateral talks with Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held bilateral talks in New Delhi today to review and further strengthen the all-encompassing India-Bangladesh partnership. The India-Bangladesh delegation level talks led by both leaders is currently underway. Issues related to connectivity, energy, water resources, trade and investment, border management and security, development partnership and regional and multilateral matters are on the agenda.

Several agreements are likely to be exchanged following the talks. Ms Hasina, who arrived yesterday on a four day visit to India, was accorded ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhawan this morning.

Speaking to media on the occasion, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said India is a friend and recalled the contribution India has made during liberation war of her nation. She hoped that today’s discussion will be fruitful and added that the main aim is to develop economically and also fulfill the basic needs of people.

Ms Hasina also paid her respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister will call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar this evening. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar called on the visiting dignitary yesterday.

Bangladesh and India share an over four thousand kilometre long international border. The five states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal border Bangladesh. The land boundary has been amicably settled between the two sides with the ratification of the historic protocol to Land Boundary Agreement in 2015. Bangladesh accounts for the largest share of foreign tourist arrivals in India. In 2021-22, Bangladesh has emerged as the largest trade partner for India in South Asia and 4th largest export destination for India. In the last five years, the bilateral trade has grown from 9 billion to 18 billion dollars. (TNL)