India on Friday said it wants to build and strengthen ties with Bangladesh and the new BNP government, which assumed office in the neighbouring country earlier this week.
At his regular press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh’s new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman soon after his election victory.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the swearing-in ceremony of the new government and handed over a letter from Modi to the new Bangladesh PM.
The letter, the spokesperson pointed out, underlined India’s commitment to support a democratic, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. "Building on the warm and historic ties between the two countries, India looks forward to further strengthening our multifaceted bilateral ties with Bangladesh," he said.
Asked if India had formally stopped purchasing Russian oi,l as is being claimed by the United States, the spokesperson said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has already clarified the country’s position in this regard.
Misri had recently stated that India’s oil imports from Russia, and elsewhere, are guided by national interest, energy security, and diversification, rather than external pressure.
On whether India would start buying oil from Venezuela, the spokesperson said New Delhi can also explore that option if it is commercially viable.
Responding to another question, the spokesperson said India did participate in the Board of Peace meeting in Washington as an observer.
"We did attend the Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC as observers. We have also welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan initiative of President Trump as well as efforts under way as part of resolution 2803 of the UNSC," he added.
India was represented at the meet by Charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington, Namgya Khampa.
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