Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to begin a two-day state visit to India, starting today. This visit holds significant importance as it marks the inaugural bilateral state visit by a foreign leader following the establishment of India’s new government after the Lok Sabha elections. The visit aims to strengthen and expand the already robust ties between Bangladesh and India, fostering cooperation and collaboration across various fronts.
Hasina was among seven prominent leaders from India’s neighborhood and the Indian Ocean region who attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Council of Ministers’ swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9.
During her visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will engage in bilateral consultations with Prime Minister Modi. She will also meet with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The visit will further include a courtesy call from Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. Hasina and Prime Minister Modi are scheduled to meet on June 22 at Hyderabad House. They will hold comprehensive discussions on Saturday, during which both sides are expected to finalize a range of agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors.
“At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina will pay a state visit to India on June 21 and 22,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated. “This will be the first incoming bilateral state visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections,” it added.
The MEA’s statement further indicated that, in addition to holding bilateral consultations with Modi, the visiting leader is scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. “The talks between the two prime ministers are expected to focus on taking the bilateral ties to new heights,” a source informed PTI.
Further discussions are anticipated to finalize the inauguration of the Feni Moitree Bridge for public transport and the commissioning of the second unit of the Rampal Moitree power plant. These projects symbolize the strengthening of connectivity between India and Bangladesh. Moreover, passenger movement through Maitri Setu, the bridge linking India and Bangladesh in the South Tripura district, is scheduled to commence by September this year.
Bangladesh is a crucial partner for India under its “Neighbourhood First” policy. The cooperation extends to areas such as security, trade, commerce, energy, connectivity, science and technology, defense, and maritime affairs, among others. Earlier in 2021, S Jaishankar had stated that Bangladesh was not only a key component of India’s “neighbourhood first policy” but also crucial for New Delhi’s “Act East policy”, which aims to solidify ties between India and South-East Asia. The achievements in the connectivity sector included the inauguration of the Maitri Setu bridge over the Feni River in Tripura and the launch of the Chilahati-Haldibari rail link.
Bangladesh holds a pivotal position as India’s largest development partner, with nearly one-fourth of New Delhi’s commitment under the Line of Credit directed towards Bangladesh. Furthermore, Bangladesh is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, while India ranks as Bangladesh’s second-largest trading partner in Asia.
Bangladesh and India are members of several regional and international organizations, including SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association), and the Commonwealth. These memberships facilitate diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two countries on regional and global platforms.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, Bangladesh exported goods worth approximately USD 2 billion to India, making India the largest export destination for Bangladeshi products in Asia during that period. The bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh for the same fiscal year amounted to USD 15.9 billion, reflecting the robust economic ties and mutual cooperation between the two countries.
Both countries are regarded as twin engines of growth due to their abundant and affordable human capital and deeply rooted social capital emphasizing cultural values. Culturally, Bangladesh and certain eastern Indian states like West Bengal and Tripura share deep ties owing to their common Bengali-speaking population. This linguistic similarity fosters strong cultural bonds, influencing shared traditions, literature, music, and cuisine. This combination enables both nations to align their visions for the Indo-Pacific region, leveraging these assets for joint initiatives in connectivity, infrastructure development, and sustainable investments. (With inputs from agencies)
