Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 22: India on Tuesday reiterated its desire for a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh, saying all bilateral issues can be discussed through the existing structured mechanisms.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during the ministry’s bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
“India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh. And, we are ready to discuss all issues, bilateral issues, within the structured mechanisms that we have right now. So that is our intent,” Jaiswal said.
Asked whether External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would meet Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman or other members of his delegation on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly session in New York, Jaiswal said he had no information on any such meeting at present.
“The question was whether the External Affairs Minister is going to have a meeting with the Bangladesh delegation at the UNGA. On that, I do not have any information, but I shall surely keep you updated if there are developments of this nature,” he said.
Jaishankar is leading the Indian delegation during the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly and is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 26. He is also expected to hold several bilateral and plurilateral meetings.
India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, has meanwhile held a series of meetings with senior Bangladeshi officials this month.
Last week, Trivedi met Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Bangladesh Prime Minister, and discussed cooperation in education, technology and innovation. The Indian High Commission said the meeting highlighted the enduring ties between the two countries, rooted in strong people-to-people relations.
Trivedi also met Bangladesh Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat to discuss improving air connectivity and air cargo capacity.
He also held talks with Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee and separately met Zahed Ur Rahman, Adviser for Policy and Strategy to the Bangladesh Prime Minister.
Following the meeting with Rahman, the Indian High Commission said both sides expressed optimism that the two countries would continue working together to strengthen people-to-people relations.
India has continued to emphasise engagement through established bilateral mechanisms while seeking a positive and constructive trajectory in ties with Bangladesh.