Awami League delegation from Bangladesh meets PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the Sheikh Hasina government of Bangladesh in a closed-door meeting with the visiting delegation of ruling Awami League Party of Bangladesh here on Monday.

The meeting lasted for more than 30 minutes at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister. After the meeting, though there was no official word from the government, the leader of the delegation, Transport and Road minister of Bangladesh and Secretary General of the Awami League, said, "The meeting went off well. And we are satisfied. The Bangladesh High Commission will brief on other issues of the discussion."

From the Indian side, National security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale, and Joint secretary in-charge of Bangladesh desk Priya Ranganathan were present at the meeting. Apart from the current political situation of Bangladesh, security issues were also discussed. Atrocities against the minorities in some parts of Bangladesh also came up for discussion.

From the Bangladesh side, apart from the leader of the delegation, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Moazzem Ali, Awami League presidium member Piyush Bhattacharya, joint general secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahaman and Mahubool Alam Hanif were present.

According to the Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission, Farid Hossein, Prime Minister Modi started his opening remark with a huge praise for the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The Indian PM said that Prime Minister Hasina has taken the country on the path of development as shown by the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina has shown courage and exemplary leadership quality to take the country's socio-economic development to a new height.

Prime Minister Modi made a sarcastic comment comparing the development of Pakistan and Bangladesh. He said today where is Pakistan as compared to Bangladesh. Bangladesh has gone much ahead of Pakistan in all spheres.

To answer a question from the delegation member on the long-pending Teesta water sharing agreement, PM Modi replied, "I am trying my best to resolve the issue."

On the recent Rohingya influx into Bangladesh, the PM said India fully supports Bangladesh on this issue. And we want an early resolution of the issue. During the meeting, PM Modi recalled his meeting with Sheikh Hasina in London on the sidelines of the Commonwealth summit. He also recalled a recent visit of Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid to India. The Indian PM expressed hope that the two countries would hold a regular exchange of visits. He also wished well for the Bangladesh PM.