"Special Partner": Foreign Ministry On Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's Visit

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is the first foreign guest on a bilateral State Visit to India after the formation of the Modi 3.0 government, received a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.

The Ministry of External Affairs termed this a ceremonial welcome for a "special partner."

"A ceremonial welcome for a special partner! PM @narendramodi received PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, as the first guest on a bilateral State visit after the formation of the new government in India," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda, Minsters of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladesh PM.

Following this, PM Hasina paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. "A heartfelt homage to Bapu! PM Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Mahatma's ideals continue to serve as guiding principles of our close and warm relationship," the MEA spokesperson said in a subsequent post.

PM Hasina arrived in India on Friday on a two-day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This visit will give a "major boost" to India-Bangladesh ties, Randhir Jaiswal earlier said in a social media post. S Jaishankar called on the Bangladesh PM on Friday. Following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her state visit highlights "close and abiding ties" between the two countries.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9.

Over the years, India and Bangladesh have forged a multifaceted relationship, marked by a shared history, culture, and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy warm ties, which have further expanded under the leadership of PM Modi and Sheikh Hasina.

The year 2023 witnessed a spur of bilateral activities between both countries as an embodiment of the strength of the relationship. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18 in a virtual format.

The Bangladeshi PM also participated virtually in the Inaugural Session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second Virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023.