President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for quick resolution of outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India through discussions, stressing that fair and mutually acceptable solutions would help strengthen trust between the two countries.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, who paid a courtesy call on the President at Bangabhaban on Tuesday morning.
The President particularly urged India to take effective steps to ensure Bangladesh receives its fair share of water from common rivers, including the Ganges and the Teesta.
The Indian High Commissioner said his government was taking positive measures on the issue, according to President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam, who briefed reporters after the meeting.
Alamgir said Bangladesh places great importance on its relations with India as a close neighbour and a major trade and development partner.
He said Bangladesh wants to build a respectful and forward-looking partnership with India based on mutual benefit, while protecting sovereign equality, national interests, dignity and the welfare of the people.
“There is immense scope for further expanding cooperation in various fields, including trade, water resources management, technology, connectivity, culture and people-to-people relations between the two countries,” the President said.
He added that Bangladesh and India could work more closely to promote peace, development and prosperity by making better use of the potential of their peoples.
During the meeting, Trivedi congratulated Alamgir on assuming office as President and said India attaches great importance to its relations with Bangladesh.
The High Commissioner also expressed his country’s interest in expanding cooperation in various areas and strengthening bilateral ties based on mutual respect, trust and cooperation.
Alamgir thanked Trivedi for his greetings and asked him to convey his gratitude and greetings to the President of India.
Trivedi expressed hope that the two countries would continue working together and sought the President’s cooperation in carrying out his responsibilities.
The President wished the High Commissioner a successful tenure and expressed hope that Bangladesh-India relations would become more positive, fruitful and people-oriented during his tenure.
Senior officials from the President’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian High Commission attended the meeting.
