India-Bangladesh ties continue momentum despite COVID-19

New Delhi, (the states. news)  India and Bangladesh on Friday held a comprehensive review of the progress made in their bilateral relationship, including in the areas of COVID-19 (#Corona_virus) cooperation, trade & connectivity and development partnership.

The review was undertaken at the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), here.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla from the Indian side and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen from the Bangladesh side co-chaired the meeting.

The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Bangladesh High Commissioner Mohammad Imran, Secretary (East) Ambassador Mashfee Shams and representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Water Resources of Bangladesh.

The Indian delegation consisted of representatives from the Ministries of External Affairs, Home Affairs, Commerce and Industry, Jal Shakti and Finance.

Both sides held discussions on the progress achieved in the bilateral relationship in the area of power, energy and water resources, regional and multilateral cooperation, as well as border management, security and defence cooperation.

The discussion also focused on preparations for the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Dhaka in March, 2021 and events relating to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Both sides noted with appreciation the close cooperation on COVID-19 (#Corona_virus)  related issues, including India’s gift of two million doses of COVISHIELD vaccines to Bangladesh, in keeping with India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

Underscoring the importance of 2021 in the context of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh, the 50th year of bilateral diplomatic ties as well as the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, both sides decided to further strengthen the ongoing coordination to jointly commemorate these anniversaries.

In this context, both sides expressed their appreciation for the participation of the Bangladesh tri-service marching contingent at the 2021 Republic Day Parade.    (uni) (media saheb.com)