President Calls for Swift Resolution of Outstanding Issues in Bangladesh-India Relations

PNN News Desk, Dhaka

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stressed the need to resolve the outstanding issues between Bangladesh and India through discussions as soon as possible in order to further strengthen and sustain relations between the two countries.

The president made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Dinesh Trivedi, the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, at Bangabhaban on Tuesday (September 8) morning.

During the meeting, the president said mutual trust between the people of Bangladesh and India would increase if issues of common interest between the two countries could be resolved through fair and mutually acceptable solutions.

The issue of water management of shared rivers also received significant attention during the discussion. The president noted that the water of shared rivers is directly connected to the lives and livelihoods of people in both countries. He therefore called on India to take effective measures to ensure the fair distribution of water from the Ganges, Teesta and other shared rivers.

In response, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said his government was taking positive initiatives on the issue.

Highlighting the importance of Bangladesh-India relations, the president said India is an important partner of Bangladesh due to geographical proximity, trade and development cooperation. However, he said, a forward-looking and respectful partnership between the two countries should be built on the basis of mutual sovereign equality, national interests, dignity and the welfare of the people.

During the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner congratulated and conveyed his best wishes to Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on assuming the office of president. He said India attaches special importance to its relations with Bangladesh.

Dinesh Trivedi expressed India’s interest in further expanding cooperation in various areas, including people-to-people connectivity between the two countries. He also reiterated India’s commitment to deepening and strengthening existing relations on the basis of mutual respect, trust and cooperation.

During the meeting, the president highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation in various sectors, including trade, water resources management, technology, communications and culture. He stressed the importance of working more closely to harness the capabilities and potential of the people of both countries for the goals of peace, development and prosperity.

The High Commissioner expressed hope that the two countries would continue to work together on the basis of mutual cooperation in the future. He also sought the president’s cooperation in carrying out his responsibilities in Bangladesh.