Bangladesh envoy meets Mamata, discusses different issues
Diplomatic Correspondent
Bangladesh High Commissioner to New Delhi M Riaz Hamidullah met Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee at her office on Monday and discussed issues of mutual interest.
“It’s a courtesy meeting,” a senior official at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata told UNB, without elaborating further.
The West Bengal Chief Minister expressed her strong hope of strengthening the traditional relations between the people of West Bengal and the people of Bangladesh.
The Chief Minister requested the High Commissioner to convey her greetings to Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and the people of Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.
This was the first courtesy call by the newly appointed High Commissioner of Bangladesh to any Indian Chief Minister.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned that the traditional linguistic, cultural and the ties between the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh based on common values, go beyond economic and commercial ties.
She expressed her determination to continue her engagement with Bangladesh in the future.
Bangladesh and India went through tensions in their bilateral relations in phases on various issues since the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5 last.
Mamata’s meeting with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in nearly nine years came amid Dhaka’s concerns over push-ins.
Before his meeting with Mamata, High Commissioner Riaz visited Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and held a meeting with all at the Deputy High Commission.
On May 29, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India submitted his credentials to the Indian President.
Extending a warm welcome to newly appointed Bangladesh High Commissioner, President of India Droupadi Murmu said they envision a “democratic, stable, prosperous and inclusive” Bangladesh.
She emphasised that the foundation of bilateral ties between the two nations lies in the shared sacrifices made during the Liberation War of 1971.
