Sheikh Hasina's Landmark Visit: Fortifying Indo-Bangla Ties

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has begun a two-day State visit to India. The visit aims to enhance the already strong relationship between the two nations. Hasina will hold wide-ranging discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on cooperation in various fields, including trade, security, and connectivity.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday initiated a significant two-day State visit to India, seeking to bolster the already robust relations between the two nations.

This visit marks the first incoming bilateral State visit following the formation of India's new government post the Lok Sabha elections.

Hasina was one of the seven notable leaders from India's neighboring and Indian Ocean regions to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Union council of ministers at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9.

Scheduled for Saturday, Modi and Hasina's discussions are anticipated to cover a broad spectrum of agreements, reinforcing cooperation across multiple sectors.

In addition to the bilateral talks with Modi, Hasina is set to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is slated to meet Hasina this evening.

A source highlighted that the primary focus of the prime ministers' talks will be to propel bilateral ties to unprecedented levels.

The strategic relations between India and Bangladesh have witnessed significant growth in recent years.

Bangladesh remains a key partner for India under its ''Neighbourhood First'' policy with collaborations spanning security, trade, commerce, energy, connectivity, science and technology, defense, and maritime affairs.

Key milestones in connectivity include the launching of the Maitri Setu bridge over the river Feni in Tripura and the revival of the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link.

As India's largest development partner, Bangladesh accounts for nearly one-fourth of New Delhi's commitments under the Line of Credit.

Bangladesh also stands as India's foremost trading partner in South Asia, with India being its second-largest trading partner in Asia.

India is the top export destination for Bangladesh in Asia, with Bangladeshi exports to India approximating USD 2 billion in 2022-23.

The total bilateral trade in 2022-23 amounted to USD 15.9 billion.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)