India, Bangladesh Pledge to Normalise Ties After 18-Month Downturn
It said the foreign minister thanked the Indian government for apprehending the suspected killers of student leader Shaheed Osman Hadi.
New Delhi: External affairs minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with Bangladesh foreign minister Khalilur Rahman and reiterated India's desire to engage constructively with the new government in Bangladesh and further strengthen bilateral ties. The foreign minister assured that visa norms for Bangladeshis, particularly for medical and business visas, will be eased in the coming weeks.
During the first visit as the foreign minister of Bangladesh under the new regime, Mr Rahman reiterated the request to extradite former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and her home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, saying they have been awarded the death penalty by the International Crimes Tribunal.
In his meeting with Mr Jaishankar, Mr Rahman thanked the Indian government for apprehending the suspected killers of student leader Shaheed Osman Hadi. Both sides agreed that the arrested individuals will be returned to Bangladesh in accordance with the procedures laid out in the extradition treaty between the two countries. However, notwithstanding pending issues like Ms Hasina's and Hadi’s killers' extradition, both sides expressed the desire to move ahead to have warm ties.
During the talks, Mr Rahman stated that the recently elected BNP government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will pursue its foreign policy in accordance with the principle of "Bangladesh First" and on the basis of “mutual trust and respect and reciprocal benefit”. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The ministry of external affairs said both India and Bangladesh agreed to explore proposals for deepening the partnership through the relevant bilateral mechanisms. Follow-ups on official meetings are expected to take place at an early date to discuss specific issues.
“Pleased to host FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh and his delegation this afternoon. We discussed strengthening our bilateral relationship in its various facets. Also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Agreed to remain in close touch,” Mr Jaishankar said in a post on X.
During the visit, which Bangladesh called a “goodwill visit”, Mr Rahman also met the national security adviser Ajit Doval and petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Bangladeshi PM's adviser on foreign affairs, Humayun Kabir and high commissioner to India Md Riaz Hamidullah were also present at the meetings.
At the meeting with the oil and gas minister, Mr Rahman expressed gratitude to Mr Puri for the recent supply of diesel to Bangladesh by India and requested to increase the volume of supply of diesel and fertiliser. A statement from the Bangladesh foreign office said Mr Puri indicated that the government of India will consider the request “readily and favourably”.
“Pleased to receive the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh… Discussed bilateral cooperation in the energy sector,” Mr Puri said in a post on X after the meeting.
Ahead of his visit, the Bangladesh government had underlined that this visit is expected to lay an important foundation for elevating the areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and India to a more fruitful and sustainable level in the future.
