DHAKA: Indian government keen to strengthen relation for a new era of cooperation and connectivity with its neighboring country Bangladesh, hinted country’s Prime Minster Narendra Modi.

Modi, on his personal twitter account, said on June 26 “I look forward to improving relations with Bangladesh.”

He twitted while Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was paying official visit to Dhaka.

Narendra Modi also invited his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina to visit India through a letter, which was handed over to Hasina by Sushma. 

“External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is visiting Bangladesh, gave my letter to PM Sheikh Hasina during their meeting today, (June 26),” he twitted.

Modi thanked Hasina, for giving emphasis on strong ties between the two countries.

“I thanked PM Sheikh Hasina for her good wishes & emphasized on the strong historical & cultural ties between India & Bangladesh,” twitted Modi.

Besides, in his letter to Hasina, Modi wrote, “I sincerely hope we can all work together to foster a new era of cooperation and connectivity across the South Asian region, which will ignite our collective surge to prosperity.”

Modi emphasized that for India, Bangladesh is “not merely a neighbour, but a nation with which we share history, culture, civilization, and enduring links between people.”

The ideals of democracy, secularism, pluralism and rule of law also serve as a link between India and Bangladesh, he said.

“My Government will apply itself to further accelerating our engagement and strengthening the framework of our relationships,” Modi assured Hasina.

The Indian premier also accepted Hasina’s invitation to visit Bangladesh and extended an invitation to his Bangladeshi counterpart to visit India at her earliest convenience, according to news posted on his personal website (narendramodi.in).

BDST: 1609 HRS, JUN 28, 2014