India said it looks forward to strengthening its multifaceted relationship with Bangladesh following the formation of a new government in Dhaka, and will work closely with the new administration to take bilateral ties forward in a positive direction.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman soon after his electoral victory.
He said Om Birla attended Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka on February 17, representing the Government of India. During the visit, Birla handed over a letter from Prime Minister Modi to the newly elected Bangladeshi leader and held a bilateral meeting with him.
“The letter reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said, adding that New Delhi intends to build on the warm and historic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
On questions regarding the resumption of visa services for Bangladeshi nationals, the spokesperson said India has conveyed its readiness to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement with the new government.
Asked about reported remarks by a Bangladeshi official concerning radicalism in India, Jaiswal declined to comment directly, stressing instead that New Delhi’s focus is on strengthening relations with Dhaka. “We have a new government in place. We want to build and deepen our ties with Bangladesh and move forward in a positive direction,” he said.
According to the Indian side, Om Birla also conveyed a personal invitation from Prime Minister Modi to Tarique Rahman to visit India at a mutually convenient time. The letter from Modi expressed India’s willingness to work closely with the new Bangladeshi government to enhance cooperation in areas such as connectivity, trade, energy, education, healthcare, technology and people-to-people exchanges.
Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as prime minister on February 17 following a landslide victory in the February 12 general election, in which the BNP-led alliance secured a decisive majority in parliament.
