Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Arrives in India, EAM Jaishankar Pays Courtesy Call

The Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, paid a courtesy call this evening in New Delhi to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh, who arrived in India on Friday for a State visit from June 21 to 22.

Taking to the social media platform X, Jaishankar posted photos of their meeting and wrote, “Delighted to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh this evening. Her State visit to India underscores our close and enduring ties. I appreciate her guidance on the further development of our special partnership.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh arrived in India today at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The newly-appointed Minister of State (MoS), Kirtivardhan Singh, welcomed the visiting Bangladeshi PM at the airport.

“This visit will significantly enhance India-Bangladesh relations,” stated Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, in a social media post.

“PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh arrives in New Delhi on a State Visit to India. Warmly welcomed by MoS @KVSinghMPGonda at the airport. Bangladesh is a key partner and trusted neighbor of India. The visit will provide a significant boost to this celebrated bilateral partnership,” read Jaiswal’s post on X.

This is the first incoming bilateral State Visit since the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, according to a press release by the MEA a day ago.

“During the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to hold bilateral consultations with the Prime Minister, and also to call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar,” the release added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9.

Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina.

The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on 18 March in a virtual format.

PM Sheikh Hasina also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on 11 January 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on 17 November 2023.

As a Guest Country invited to India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, Bangladesh participated under various tracks at the Ministerial level including the former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, AK Abdul Momen in the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting and G-20 Development Ministers Meeting in March 2023 and June 2023 respectively.
Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated three Indian-assisted development cooperation projects in Bangladesh on 1 November 2023 virtually.

The projects are the Akhaura-Agartala cross border rail link, Khulna-Mongla Port rail line and Unit II of Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, according to the MEA.