Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday thanked India for her contribution in their 1971 Liberation War.
“When Bangladesh was liberated, people of India supported us. I always welcome the contribution and support extended by India. My best wishes to the people of India,” said Hasina speaking in (broken) Hindi.
Ahead of bilateral talks with the visiting Bangladesh leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received her at a ceremonial welcome on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
“India is a friend, so whenever I come to India it’s a pleasure for me especially. We have friendly relations and cooperating with each other,” Hasina said after the welcoming ceremony.
Terming better economy and poverty alleviation as the focus areas, Hasina said that the two countries can work together to ensure better lives to their people.
“That is our main focus. I hope that it will be very fruitful discussion and our main aim is to develop economically and also fulfill the basic needs of our people. With friends you van solve any problem,” she added.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister reached the capital on Monday on a four day state visit to India.
She was warmly welcomed by Minister of State for Railways and Textiles Darshana Jardosh on her arrival.
The Bangladeshi Prime Minister is scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and hold bilateral consultations with Modi later in the day.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Hasina on Monday and said that “the warmth and frequency of our leadership level contacts is a testimony to our close neighbourly partnership.”
Hasina last visited New Delhi in October 2019 just before the pandaemic broke out.
