Dhaka: Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who is on his two-day visit to Bangladesh, on Tuesday said both countries share a ‘blood relationship’. He made the remarks after a Foreign Secretary-level meeting at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday.
The Indian Foreign Secretary said, “It was a rare historical moment as the two countries were celebrating 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence. “The Indian Army and the freedom fighters of Bangladesh have liberated this country with their blood. So the relationship between the two countries is a blood relationship.”
He further said the increasing connectivity with Bangladesh by road, rail as well as waterways is now India’s top priority. “Bangladesh has made tremendous progress over the decades. It is growing at about 8 per cent every year. India has participated in the progress of Bangladesh.”
Shringla told media, “Besides border issues, important discussions were held on enhancing connectivity between the two countries, Indian President’s visit to Dhaka next week and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Delhi in January.” “Bangladesh is also the country which is being visited by both Prime Minister and President of India amid Covid-19 crisis. So, the importance India attaches to Bangladesh can be understood from this,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masood bin Momen said the meeting had important discussions with aim to make the border more peaceful.
After Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla arrived in Dhaka this morning, he was welcomed at the airport by his Bangladesh counterpart.
After the meeting at the Foreign Secretary-level meeting, Harshvardhan Sringla will meet Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Abdul Momen and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader. The Indian Foreign secretary will return to Delhi on Wednesday after paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
