Dhaka-Delhi relationship an utmost priority: India

Indian state minister for child and women development Deboshree Chudri receives prime minister Sheikh Hasina at Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: PID
Indian state minister for child and women development Deboshree Chudri receives prime minister Sheikh Hasina at Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: PID

Welcoming prime minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, India on Thursday described its relations with Bangladesh as a "relationship of utmost priority", reports UNB.

"A relationship of utmost priority," Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted sharing photos of prime minister Hasina's arrival in New Delhi as part of her official visit.

The MEA also said Bangladesh and India share "multifaceted relations" which go far beyond the strategic partnership.

During her four-day official visit, Sheikh Hasina will hold a bilateral meeting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and president Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday.

Water-sharing of common rivers, Rohingya repatriation and trade and investment issues are likely to be discussed during the bilateral meeting between PM Hasina and her Indian counterpart Modi.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said at least 10-12 instruments will be signed on bilateral issues though it is not yet finalised how many deals will exactly be signed.

In the presence of two prime ministers, agreements and MoUs on investment in economic zones, oceanographic research, enhancing water-way connectivity, increasing bilateral trade, standardisation of products, education, ICT, culture and sports sector will be signed, he said.

Issues like bringing down border killings to a zero level, combating regional terrorism, anti-dumping, enhancing cooperation in energy and water sharing will be discussed during the meeting.

Momen said the two prime ministers will talk about water-sharing of seven common rivers, including Teesta at the bilateral meeting.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina reached New Delhi on Thursday morning to join the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit and hold meetings with top Indian leaders.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:15am. The flight landed at Palam Air Force Station, New Delhi at 9:45am (local time).

A red carpet was rolled out for the prime minister at the airport. She was received by Deboshree Chudri, Indian state minister for child and women development, Bangladesh high commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali and India's high commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das.