Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar calls on Bangladesh PM

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar today said India and Bangladesh have set “a model” in bilateral cooperation as he called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed issues of mutual and regional interests.

Jaishankar, who arrived here this evening on a two-day visit, called on Prime Minister Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban here.

“The model is being highly appreciated in India,” premier’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim quoted Jaishankar as saying at a briefing after the meeting.

The Foreign Secretary told the premier that India made 14 commitments during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Dhaka visit in June last year and eight of them have been fulfilled.

“We have made good progress as eight commitments have already been fulfilled in nearly one year and we are vigorously working to meet other pledges,” Jaishankar said particularly pointing out notable developments in cooperation in energy and power sector.

The foreign secretary said a number of Indian companies have shown interest to set up a deep seaport in Bangladesh.

Hasina told Jaishankar that the proposed deep seaport could be established through a consortium, Karim said.

The press secretary said Prime Minister Hasina expressed satisfaction over the fulfilling of the pledges made during the historic visit of her Indian counterpart last year.

“The bilateral ties between the two neighbouring countries reached a new height following his (Modi) visit...we are in fact enjoying the best of relations,” she said.

Jaishankar will meet his Bangladeshi counterpart Shahidul Haque tomorrow, with officials saying security issues were likely to dominate their meeting.

They are likely to discuss entire range of bilateral issues, including water-sharing, transit, development of Pyra Port, trade and investment, Indian Line of Credit and review implementation of various development projects, sources said.

Jaishankar also thanked the Bangladesh government for its support to India for its initiatives for launching SAARC Satellite.

Referring to ratification of the landmark Land Boundary Agreement by the Indian Parliament, the premier thanked the Indian government, particularly members of Lok Shabha and Rajiya Shabha, for passing the bill unanimously.

“It has set an example for others,” she commented. Jaishankar will also meet Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali. His visit assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent killings of bloggers, secular activists and teachers, as well as the overall security situation in Bangladesh and South Asia.

Diplomatic sources said Jaishankar is expected to convey New Delhi’s full support to Bangladesh on countering violent extremism amid spreading of terrorist acts in recent months.