Connectivity & trade linkages have figured prominently on the bilateral agenda in the past
In a demonstration of the strong bilateral ties between the two neighbours, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a State Visit to India on June 21-22, 2024 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This will be the first incoming bilateral State Visit after the formation of the government in India following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, when Narendra Modi assumed charge as Prime Minister for the third consecutive term.
Announcing the visit on Thursday (June 20, 2024), the Ministry of External Affairs said that during the visit, apart from holding bilateral consultations with Prime Minister Modi, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to call-on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is scheduled to call on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh during her stay in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9, 2024.
The bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh is characterized by a strong bond of cooperation and mutual understanding.
Over the years, the two countries have collaborated on various fronts, such as trade, border security, and water sharing, to foster regional stability and promote shared prosperity. This robust partnership is built on a foundation of trust and shared historical, cultural, and economic ties.
In November 2023, the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh jointly inaugurated three India-assisted development projects via video conferencing. The three projects are Akhaura - Agartala Cross-Border Rail Link; Khulna - Mongla Port Rail Line; and Unit – II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant. Unit I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was unveiled jointly by both the Prime Ministers in September 2022.
Connectivity and trade linkages had figured prominently during discussions between Prime Minister Modi and PM Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi on September 8, 2023, ahead of the G20 Summit.
"Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more," Prime Minister Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).