DhakaPresident Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said Bangladesh has a “special place” in India’s ‘neighbourhood first’ policy. He met the country’s top leadership on the first day of his three-day official visit here and “further expanded the bilateral relationship based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding that goes beyond a strategic partnership”.
Earlier in the day, President Ram Nath Kovind was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival in Dhaka on Wednesday. During his three-day visit, the President will participate in the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.
A 21-gun salute was given on Kovind’s arrival. Kovind arrived in Dhaka on a special Air India One flight accompanied by an official delegation including his wife Savita Kovind and daughter Swati Kovind. President of Bangladesh M. Abdul Hamid along with his wife received Kovind at Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in Dhaka.
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Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi termed President Kovind’s visit to Bangladesh as a “great start”. Bagchi wrote on Twitter, “A great start. Bangladesh President Mohamed Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Hamid extended a special welcome to President Kovind and his wife Savita Kovind on their arrival in Dhaka. Bilateral relations based on sovereignty, equality, trust and understanding are being further expanded, which goes beyond a strategic partnership.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Office of India, during the meeting with Hamid, President Kovind reiterated that Bangladesh has a “special place” in India’s ‘neighbourhood first’ policy and said that India’s development partnership with Bangladesh is the most important. One of the widest partnerships.
On trade and connectivity, President Kovind said connectivity is an important pillar of India-Bangladesh relations. Terming Bangladesh as one of India’s largest trading partners, he said New Delhi was committed to more organized and seamless trade between the two countries.
Kovind said that there is a lot of scope for participation in areas like space, nuclear technology, defence, medicine and other advanced science and technology. Earlier, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met President Kovind in Dhaka on Wednesday and the two leaders discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation. Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted, “Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina meets President Ram Nath Kovind in Dhaka. The two leaders discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
Bagchi said the two countries reviewed the progress in the multifaceted and comprehensive bilateral relationship. The two leaders also recalled the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and expressed satisfaction over the joint celebration of Friendship Day on 6 December. He said in another tweet that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momin also met President Kovind here and “apprised him of the great progress in bilateral cooperation and future joint projects, including progress in the connectivity sector”. ”
Bangladesh Foreign Ministry tweeted, “External Affairs Minister Dr. Momin called on Hon’ble President of India and discussed bilateral matters. The dignitaries reiterated their desire to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries. Briefing the media after Prime Minister Hasina’s meeting with President Kovind, External Affairs Minister Momin said she told the Indian leader that the two countries have so far resolved many pending bilateral issues and the remaining issues should also be resolved through discussions. expected to leave. Hasina said that the cooperation of Dhaka-New Delhi has ensured peace in the region. “Peace prevails in the region as the two countries are working together,” he said.