FROM PMO: Visiting External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj handed over an invitation letter of her country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh premier Sheikh Hasina.

PM’s press secretary Shamim Choudhury confirmed the matter to banglanews.

Sushma’s meeting with Hasina lasted nearly one hour. She handed over India PM Modi’s invitation to Hasina, Shamim said.

The Bangladesh PM also expressed her eagerness to visit India, Shamim added saying more, ‘PM Modi is also interested to visit Bangladesh’.

According to him, the Indian foreign minister expected that the premiers of both countries will work together to solve existing problems between the two neighboring countries as well as to eliminate poverty in South Asia region.

Bangladesh PM said her country always wants to keep good relations with neighbors to eradicate poverty, the press secretary added saying that Bangladesh has been following a policy of zero tolerance to cross border terrorism.

The premier also talked about India’s finance to establishing a power plant in Rampal; easy visa process, especially for students, between the two neighboring countries; renovation of road between Bangladesh and Tripura’s Agartala; establishing Bangladesh-India-Bhutan tri-lateral hydro-electronic power plant; inclusion of coaches in Maitree train and improvising of bus service between the two countries, the press secretary added. 

Earlier, after a 45-minute bilateral meeting with Foreign minister Mahmood Ali, the Indian minister arrived at PMO around 11:45am. 

During a 45-minute meeting on bilateral issues, the PM had a close door meeting with Sushma for few minutes.

Meeting sources said Sushma also handed over the design of Bangladesh Bhaban at Shanti Niketon to Sheikh Hasina.  For the establishment, Indian government has provided land free of cost while Bangladesh will finance the construction.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali had a meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj at the Foreign Ministry that started at 10:00am.

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.

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: 1254 HRS, JUNE 26, 2014/1422hrs