Bangladesh‘s Foreign Minister, Hasan Mahmud, met with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen regional cooperation to promote security and stability not only inside the region but also outside.
“Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP met Shri. Ajit Doval, KC, National Security Adviser of India today in New Delhi. They discussed ways and means of regional cooperation for ensuring regional security and maintaining greater stability in the region and beyond,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh, said in a post on X
The Bangladeshi foreign minister arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday.
“A warm welcome to FM @DrHasanMahmud62 of Bangladesh on his first official visit to India,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
“India-Bangladesh’s strong partnership will get further impetus with this significant visit,” the prime minister added.
Mahmud is visiting India on the invitation of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Notably, this is Mahmud’s first international tour after being inducted into the new Bangladesh administration following Sheikh Hasina’s historic victory, which secured her fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister.
“The visit reflects the high importance and priority both countries attach to their bilateral relationship,” the MEA said.
During his visit to the country from February 7-9, Bangladeshi minister Hasan Mahmud will meet with Jaishankar and discuss progress in a variety of bilateral relations, as well as the agenda for future engagement.
The MEA also stated that they will discuss sub-regional, regional, and international problems of mutual concern.
Earlier this January, Jaishankar met with his Bangladesh colleague Mahmud on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Kampala, Uganda.
Mahmud stated that he held productive conversations with Jaishankar to boost India-Bangladesh relations.
Jaishankar had already congratulated Mahmud on his appointment, saying he “looks forward to receiving him in Delhi soon.”
Hasan Mahmud, from Chittagong in southeast Bangladesh, was Deputy Foreign Minister during Sheikh Hasina’s second term, which lasted from 2009 to 2014.
Hasina’s Awami League won 223 seats in the January 7 elections, allowing it to form the government. Following President Mohammad Shahabuddin’s invitation to form the government, the Awami League government appointed a 36-member cabinet.
The elections were held under tensions, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and other like-minded groups going on strike across the country to boycott the elections.