DHAKA: Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali is holding a meeting with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday morning.

Foreign secretaries of both the countries Shahidul Haque and Sujata Singh, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Tareque A Karim and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran also are present in the meeting that started at 10:00am.

Later, Sushma will call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the PMO.

Indian External Affairs Minister, in the evening, will address a seminar organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Study.

Sushma also will pay courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid during her three-day visit.

Earlier, a special flight carrying her landed at Shahjalal International Airport at 10:30pm Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Mahmud Ali welcomed her while other officials from Foreign Ministry were present.

Sushma, just after landing, greeted the people of Bangladesh and expressed her hope about further strengthening of Indo-Bangla friendship.

This is the first visit by any top Indian leaders after Modi’s ascension to power.

BDST: 1116 HRS, JUN 26, 2014