Indian Foreign Secretary Shringla in Dhaka

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday morning on a two-day visit as India officially announced its president’s state visit to Bangladesh from December 15-17. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen greeted his Indian counterpart Shringla upon his arrival by a special aircraft. Apart from his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Shringla will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his visit.

Though the Indian government has yet to announce the name of the chief guest for its Republic Day parade that falls on January 26, it could not be known whether Shringla is carrying any messages or special invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his Bangladesh counterpart. The Indian foreign secretary is scheduled to meet the prime minister on Wednesday.  He will also pay a courtesy call on Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday. 

India’s relationship with Bangladesh is one of the strongest pillars of its "Neighbourhood First Policy”, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.  In this special year, Bangladesh and India are jointly commemorating 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties. The foreign secretary’s visit to Bangladesh, a day after the "Maitri Diwas" celebrations, will provide an opportunity to review the wide-ranging cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said. The visit will also help prepare for the state visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh from December 15 to 17.

Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a state visit to Bangladesh from March 26 to 27 to join the celebrations of the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh, the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bangladesh. During his visit, Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the golden jubilee of establishment of diplomatic ties.

On Monday in New Delhi the Indian foreign secretary said India will cooperate increasingly with Bangladesh, noting that the next 50 years of the two countries' shared journey will bring even greater satisfaction for both sides. Loosely translated, he said, "Maitri Diwas" means friendship day but ''Maitri" has a much deeper connotation.

"It is a relationship that has depth, and has significance beyond the ordinary. It is a bond that has stood the test of time," Shringla said at a discussion session titled "Maitri Diwas, 50th Anniversary of India-Bangladesh Diplomatic Relations" held in New Delhi. Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) hosted the event. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sent a video message on the occasion.

The upcoming state visit of Indian President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh on the historic occasion is a reflection of the high priority that both countries attach to the bilateral ties, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. “It also reaffirms the shared desire of both countries to further consolidate and strengthen the multifaceted and irreversible partnership, based on historical and cultural ties, mutual trust and understanding,” the ministry said in a statement officially announcing the state visit of the Indian president to Bangladesh on December 15-17.

At the invitation of President Abdul Hamid, the president of India will pay the state visit to attend the 50th Victory Day celebrations of Bangladesh. During the visit, the Indian president will hold a delegation-level meeting with President Hamid. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also have a meeting with the president. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will also call on him.

“Bangladesh is a major pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy,” said the Ministry of External Affairs.

It said Bangladesh and India share a progressive, comprehensive and substantial cooperation in diverse areas, ranging from security, border management, defence, water resources, trade, transport, connectivity, health, culture, people-to-people ties, energy and power to development partnership and sub-regional cooperation. Both countries have also closely cooperated in addressing the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.