Hasina-Modi talks begin in New Delhi

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is holding a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to discuss ways to take the relations between Bangladesh and India to the next trajectory.

The bilateral meeting began at 11:30am (local time) at Hyderabad House, reports UNB.

Earlier, a tete-a-tete was held between the two leaders just before the meeting.

The two sides at the meeting are likely to give much importance to trade and connectivity issues apart from focusing on all bilateral issues, an official said.     

The water-sharing of common rivers, Rohingya repatriation and investment issues are also likely to be discussed during the bilateral meeting between the two leaders.

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

A total of 13 bilateral instruments, including 11 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), are on the table to be signed and exchanged in the presence of the two prime ministers.

Hasina and Modi will also jointly inaugurate some projects.

The bilateral meeting will be followed by lunch at the Hyderabad House.

Earlier in the morning, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had a “warm conversation” with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reaffirmed India’s “highest priority” to her relations with Bangladesh.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das were present. 

Prime Minister Hasina will also meet Indian President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 4:30 pm.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached New Delhi on Thursday morning and joined the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit.

Welcoming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi, India on Thursday described its relations with Bangladesh as a “relationship of utmost priority”.

“A relationship of utmost priority,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted sharing the 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.

Prime Minister Hasina will also meet Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday.

She is scheduled to return home on Sunday.