Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told the visiting Indian President that Bangladesh does not treat anyone as minority and that all Bangladeshis have equal rights as citizens.
"Our Prime Minister said none is treated as minorities in Bangladesh, all are treated equally as citizens," State Minister for Foreign Affairs told reporters after Prime Minister Hasina called on Indian President Ram Nath Kovind at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
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The statement came when the issue of "some problems" surrounding the last Durga Puja celebration came up during the call.
Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Dhaka around 11:30 am today. He also visited the National Martyrs' Monument in Savar and Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
He is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh to attend the celebrations of the 50th Victory Day of Bangladesh, Mujib Borsho and 50 years of India-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship.
Foreign Minister Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam also called on the Indian President.
Talking to reporters at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel, Momen said they shared the views that India-Bangladesh relationship is in its golden chapter now, which could be an example for the rest of the world.
"It is because we have solved all the major problems through dialogue and discussion. In the next 50 years, we hope to help each other and reach the height of development," he said.
The Bangladesh side mentioned about the vaccine cooperation from India during the coronavirus pandemic and thanked India for the assistance.
"We also said that in the international forums, we will discuss and take decisions on various problems," Momen said.
"We said under the leadership of our Prime Minister, we have made much progress in recent years. We also want stability and peace in the region," Momen said.
He said the Bangladesh side spoke of the connectivity issues and the upcoming areas of cooperation.
State Minister Shahriar Alam said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked India for sheltering the family members of Bangabandhu after the assassination of the Father of the Nation on August 15 in 1975. The Indian President expressed sorrow for the tragic incident of August 15.
PM Hasina said the relations between Bangladesh and India will continue and become even stronger.
President Ram Nath Kovind thanked Prime Minister Hasina for the mangoes she sent this year.
The Indian President also brought sweets and cake made at the President's Bhaban in Delhi.
Asked if the pending issues of river sharing or border problems were discussed, Shahriar Alam said, "We said we have some problems but we will solve all those through discussions."
'Bangladesh is India's development partner'
Terming Bangabandhu an ideal of pluralism and democracy, President Kovind said Bangladesh is India's development partner.
"Our partnership is comprehensive and vibrant," President Kovind said when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met him at Hotel Sonargaon today, reports UNB.
PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The Indian president said he was happy to be in Bangladesh as it marks three great occasions -- Bangabandhu Birth Centenary, Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh's Independence and 50 Years of Indo-Bangla Diplomatic Relations.
Talking about the pandemic, the Indian President said Covid-19 is an "unseen power" that destroyed everything, said the report.
He said Bangladesh was the first country to receive Covid-19 vaccine from India and thanked Bangladesh for sending medicines to India to tackle the virus.
Appreciating Bangladesh's support to India in different international forums, Kovind said the Bangabandhu-Bapuji joint digital exhibition was remarkable.
"And Bangabandhu Chair has been established in Delhi University," he said, adding that India is focusing on connectivity between the two countries, added the report.
