Hasina, Modi pledge “unprecedented new height” in ties

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Bangla Tribune Desk
Published : 23:54, May 25, 2019 | Updated : 00:03, May 26, 2019

This April 2017 photo shows Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sharing a light moment with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during an agreement signing ceremony in New Delhi. TIMES OF INDIAPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have pledged to continue to raise the relationship between the two countries to an “unprecedented new height.”
The leaders recognised the importance of rapidly completing ongoing plans for deepening the partnership in security trade, transportation, energy and people-to-people ties, says a media release by the Indian premier’s office.
“Doing so within the next three years will have specific significance in view of the centenary of the birth of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and the 50thanniversary of Bangladesh’s Liberation in 2021,” it read,
The leaders also agreed to identify dates for a meeting at the earliest to resume work in service of the bilateral relationship.
Hasina became one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate the Modi, thus reflecting the “extraordinarily close and cordial ties” between India and Bangladesh, and the excellent rapport that the two leaders enjoy, the release added.
On May 23, Hasina phoned Modi to extend her congratulations on the landslide victory giving him a second term.
Hasina, in a congratulatory message, said, "… I extend my heartiest congratulations to you on the resounding victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under your dynamic leadership in the 17th Lok Sabha elections in India.
"This emphatic verdict is a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed on you by the people of the world's largest democracy."
She said that Bangladesh attaches highest importance to its multi-faceted relations with India which is driven by genuine goodwill, mutual trust and respect.
India''s critical role in support of Bangladesh's War of Independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971 was a watershed moment in the relations, she said.
"I strongly believe that with the renewed mandate given to both of us by our respective peoples, Bangladesh-India ties, which have already been termed as a role model of good neighbourliness, will be further consolidated and our relations will scale newer heights," Hasina said.

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