Indian PM Modi writes to Hasina, says looking forward to Bangladesh visit

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi would like to visit Dhaka "soon", he said in a letter written to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina.

Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, in Dhaka on a 24-hour trip, met Hasina at her Parliament office and handed her the letter on Monday evening.

The visit of the Indian prime minister has been on the cards since he swept into office last May.

The visit, eagerly awaited by Dhaka, was important because it could resolve key outstanding issues such as Teesta water sharing and Land Boundary Agreement. The latter is expected to be ratified by Indian parliament later in this session, which would make sure that Modi wouldn't come empty-handed.

Last month, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said in Dhaka that she would act as a "bridge" towards solving the thorny Teesta dispute, raising hopes about both the issues.         

AKM Shameem Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, told journalists that Modi had also invited Hasina to visit India.

Jaishankar told Hasina his government was happy with the progress of the India-funded projects in Bangladesh.

Power sector cooperation was also discussed and Hasina expressed hope to import more power from Tripura’s Palatana. 

Jaishankar reportedly responded by saying that India would cooperate and suggested bringing private sector into play.

Shameem Chowdhury added they also talked about importing power from Bhutan. 

The meeting explored ways of fast-tracking the signing of ‘Trade Protocol’ and ‘Agreement between Coastal Shipping’ between Bangladesh and India.

The Indian foreign secretary stressed on solving issues through bilateral discussions outside SAARC. 

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, Bangladesh’s envoy to India Syed Muazzem Ali and the Indian Ambassador to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran were present in the meeting.