Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Jan 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended New Year greetings to top leaders of Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives via telephonic conversation, but skipped Pakistan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told his Bangladesh counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, that close relations between the two countries are a priority for his government and the birth centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is expected to boost these ties.
Modi made this statement after the two countries went through strained ties following the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens. The leadership in Dhaka was turning sour towards the remarks made by some BJP leaders over deporting illegal immigrants.
While exchanging New Year greetings, Modi congratulated Hasina on being re-elected as president of the ruling Awami League party for the next three years.
He stated that the upcoming birth centenary of Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father, and 50 years of the liberation of Bangladesh and establishment of diplomatic ties 'provided important milestones to further progress of the close India-Bangladesh ties, which is a priority for his government'.
The prime minister also expressed condolences on the recent death of former Bangladesh high commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali.
Further, he conveyed best wishes on behalf of the people of India and emphasized New Delhi’s commitment to the 'neighbourhood first' policy and a vision of shared peace, security, prosperity and progress for all of the country’s friends and partners in the region.
The PM even phoned Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and highlighted achievements of the last year that consolidated the special ties between the two sides. The PM asserted that he was looking forward to Wangchuck's India visit and emphasized the need for youth exchanges. He also spoke to Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.
Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was also contacted by Modi on New Year, where he also expressed satisfaction on completion of several projects, especially the Motihari- Amlekhgunj petroleum products pipeline. Both leaders agreed on the early inauguration of an integrated check post in Biratnagar and a housing reconstruction project in Nepal through a video conference.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed confidence that the two sides will enhance their friendly ties in 2020. Modi also got in touch with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who expressed a keen desire to enhance bilateral relations.
The President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, expressed his desire to deepen and strengthen ties with India by enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring new areas for working together.