Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday morning at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat.
The meeting discussed issues of mutual interest, including importing diesel from India through a pipeline.
After the meeting, Humayun Kabir, foreign affairs adviser to the prime minister, told reporters that the diesel pipeline project received special attention.
He said under PM Tarique’s leadership, the goal is to advance relations with India and maintain ties between the peoples of both countries. Positive relations, he noted, can help resolve many issues, he added.
He also said Bangladesh and India want to build stronger ties by moving beyond past bitter experiences.
On Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s upcoming India visit, Humayun said he will travel on Tuesday to attend the Indian Ocean Conference.
He is likely to hold meetings with India’s foreign minister and national security adviser. Their discussions will cover all issues of national interest, including border killings, he further said.
In response to a query, he said the relationship that existed with ousted Sheikh Hasina will not return. Her role has already concluded in Bangladesh, he added.
According to a press release from the Indian High Commission, PM Tarique and Pranay Verma discussed about enhancing cooperation in a wide range of areas including public health, financial inclusion, women empowerment, rural development, bilateral trade and investment, ease of doing business, technology partnerships and power and energy cooperation.
The Indian envoy underscored the need to transform geographical proximity into new opportunities by strengthening economic and connectivity linkages, and by enhancing cultural and people‑to‑people exchanges.
He conveyed India’s intent to work with Bangladesh in a constructive and forward‑looking manner based on mutual interest and benefit, the release added.
