President urges dialogue on India issues
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the early resolution of outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India through discussion, saying it would help strengthen and sustain bilateral relations between the two neighbours.
The president made the call during a courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Fakhrul said resolving matters of mutual interest through fair and mutually acceptable solutions would further build trust and confidence between the peoples of the two countries.
The president placed particular emphasis on the management of shared rivers, noting that it is directly linked to the lives and livelihoods of people on both sides of the border.
He urged India to take effective measures to ensure the fair distribution of water from the Ganges, Teesta and other common rivers.
Responding, Trivedi told the president that his government was taking positive steps in this regard, though he did not elaborate on specific measures.
Fakhrul said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relationship with India as its closest neighbour and a key trade and development partner.
He said Bangladesh was interested in building a dignified, forward-looking and mutually respectful partnership with India, one that upholds sovereign equality, national interests and the welfare of the people of both countries.
“India and Bangladesh can work more closely to achieve shared peace, development and prosperity by harnessing the capabilities and potential of the people of both countries,” he said.
During the meeting, Trivedi congratulated Fakhrul on assuming the presidency and conveyed the respect and good wishes of the Indian government.
He said India attaches great importance to its relations with Bangladesh and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding cooperation across various sectors, including people-to-people ties.
Trivedi said India was keen to further strengthen bilateral relations based on mutual respect, trust and cooperation, and expressed hope that the two countries would continue working together.
He also sought the president’s cooperation in discharging his responsibilities during his tenure as high commissioner.
Fakhrul thanked Trivedi for the visit and asked him to convey his sincere gratitude and greetings to the Indian president.
He wished Trivedi a successful tenure and expressed hope that his time in Dhaka would help make bilateral relations more fruitful, positive and people-oriented.
Senior officials from the President’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Indian High Commission were present at the meeting.
The meeting comes amid ongoing discussions between Dhaka and New Delhi over a range of bilateral concerns, including water-sharing arrangements for common rivers, trade and border management, which have remained recurring points of engagement between the two governments.
