DHAKA: The newly appointed Bangladesh High Commission to India Syed Muazzem Ali presented his credentials to the President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

He gave the credentials at a colorful ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) in India’s capital New Delhi on Tuesday.

Receiving the Bangladesh High Commissioner, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed satisfaction over the continued upward trend in the relations between the two countries.

He mentioned that the relations were elevated to a whole new paradigm with the visit of the Bangladesh Prime Minister in 2010 and the subsequent visit by the Indian Prime Minister in 2011.

President Mukherjee expressed his gratitude for the cooperation extended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Bangladesh government for the elimination of the scourge of terrorism in the region.

He mentioned that India was fully committed to resolving not only the outstanding issues such Land Boundary Agreement and Teesta River Water Sharing but also other issues to take the relations to a newer height.

The veteran Indian statesman Pranab Mukherjee expressed satisfaction at the growth of trade and economic ties and hoped that bilateral trade exchange would cross $6 billion mark.

He also mentioned that India being fully appreciative of the trade imbalance between the two countries has already instituted measures to reduce the gap.

In his reply the High Commissioner conveyed greetings from Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reiterated the Bangladesh government’s firm desire to further expand and consolidate our bilateral ties to a new height. He also mentioned that Bangladesh was looking forward to the early resolution of LBA and Teesta issues.

He also reiterated our government’s firm resolve for elimination of all forms terrorism in the Bangladesh and the region. He also mentioned that Bangladesh and India are now fully engaged in bilateral cooperation in the power and energy sector.

The Bangladesh envoy also assured the Indian President that it would be his endeavour to further expand and consolidate the ongoing bilateral cooperation.

He underscored Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s persistent efforts to further promote regional and sub-regional cooperation with an emphasis on infrastructural connectivity.
 
President Pranab Mukherjee assured the Bangladesh envoy of his full cooperation and expressed his eagerness to receive the Bangladesh President later this month.

BDST: 2135 HRS, DEC 09, 2014