India is keen to strengthen people-centric cooperation with Bangladesh across all sectors and work together in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner based on mutual benefit and shared interests, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said on Sunday.
The Indian envoy made the remarks after meetings with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.
“We look forward to working together in a forward-looking manner to strengthen our people-centric cooperation in all domains. People-to-people exchanges are a very important part of our bilateral relations, and we hope to move forward by working together in a positive and constructive way,” he said.
The envoy noted that there had been a series of diplomatic communications between the two countries following the February 12 election. India’s prime minister conveyed a congratulatory message to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and the two leaders also spoke over the telephone after the election results.
He added that India demonstrated its commitment to the relationship when Om Birla, speaker of the Lok Sabha, visited Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government as the official representative of New Delhi.
“In all these communications, we expressed our desire to build on our historic ties with Bangladesh and strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations. We also conveyed our commitment to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” the High Commissioner said.
He said the same message was reiterated during Sunday’s meetings at the foreign ministry.
“I conveyed our consistent position that we look forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh and further strengthening bilateral relations,” he added.
