BD, India to work closely on bilateral issues

Bangladesh and India plans to work closely on various bilateral issues, especially in connectivity, security, counter terrorism, energy cooperation and migrant welfare, said Indian State Minister for External Affairs on Sunday.

"India will work closely with Bangladesh to create a seamlessly connected and secured Asia," said General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd).

The Indian state minister said it during a bilateral meeting with his Bangladeshi counterpart Shahriar Alam, reports BSS.

The two discussed a wide range of bilateral issues on the sidelines of the 2nd ACD Summit, began in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday. The two-day summit ends on Monday.

They also discussed various bilateral and quadrilateral road and rail connectivity projects related to the forums for regional cooperation such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) and Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar (BCIM).

"Bangladesh looks towards moving the regional connectivity and energy security agenda forward, along with India under the ACD and other regional cooperation frameworks for mutual benefit of the people of two countries", Shahriar said.

He reiterated Bangladesh`s invitation to India for the 9th GFMD Summit to be held in December in Dhaka and briefed him on the proposal, made by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for a Global Compact on Migration for the welfare of migrant workers.

In this context, the state minister thanked the Indian state minister for his support in the recent repatriation of migrant workers from Yemen, including Bangladeshi migrant workers.

He also briefed the Indian minister about Bangladesh`s ASEAN Dialogue Partner aspirations and sought support of India, already an ASEAN Dialogue Partner, in facilitating Bangladesh`s bid.

They agreed on working together for greater welfare of migrant workers from Bangladesh and India in different parts of the world.

Singh assured India would continue to support Bangladesh in its efforts towards countering terrorism, regional connectivity and its ASEAN Dialogue Partnership bid.

The Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem was present during the meeting. Indian Ambassador to Thailand was also present