Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma today said India is looking forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh and further strengthening bilateral cooperation across all sectors.

“In today’s meeting with the Foreign Minister, I reiterated our position that we look forward to engaging with the new Government in Bangladesh. I conveyed that we want to strengthen our people-centric cooperation in all domains, working together in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner, based on mutual interest and mutual benefit,” he said. 

The envoy made the remarks to reporters after calling on Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at the foreign ministry here. 

“It was my first meeting with the new Foreign Minister and Minister of State after the formation of the new Government in Bangladesh. So, it was more of a courtesy meeting and an initial exchange of views,” the High Commissioner said.

Referring to recent high-level engagements, he said, “You are aware of our recent high level communications with Bangladesh since the election.”

“On 13 Feb, soon after the elections, Prime Minister of India sent a congratulatory message to H. E. Mr. Tarique Rahman. They also spoke on phone later that day,” he said.

“Later on 17 Feb, when the new Government was sworn-in, our Speaker of Lok Sabha visited Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony, representing the Government of India. He also had a bilateral meeting with the new Prime Minister. During the meeting, our Speaker handed a letter from Prime Minister Modi to Prime Minister Rahman,” the envoy added.

“In all these communications, we expressed the desire to build on our historic ties with Bangladesh and strengthen our multifaceted bilateral relations. We also underlined our commitment to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said.

Reiterating New Delhi’s stance, the High Commissioner said India remains committed to further consolidating bilateral engagement through constructive dialogue and cooperation across sectors of mutual interest.