Non-resident Indians have roles to transform relations with Bangladesh, says envoy

Acting Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Adarsh Swaika has said that non-resident Indians have “large and significant role to play” in transforming the relations with Bangladesh.

He was speaking before a large number of non-resident Indians convened in Indian High Commission’s new chancery building on Saturday, marking the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’.

The day, 9th Jan, when in 1915 India’s founding father Mahatma Gandhi returned India from South Africa and led the freedom struggle, is being observed as the non-resident Indian day since 2003.

This year, for the first time, the event transcended New Delhi and was celebrated all Indian missions abroad, highlighting the contribution of overseas Indian community in Indian development.

Dance, music and speeches dominated the celebration.

India has a sizeable community in Bangladesh. At least 60 companies have investments in Bangladesh with the two-way trade crossed $6 billion.

The acting high commissioner said India’s relationship with Bangladesh was “dynamic and comprehensive” and “responds to the aspirations of both people”.

He said government-to-government relationship was one aspect, but the business-to-business engagements have the “potential to transform this relationship”.

 “….and this is an area in which you have a large and significant role to play,” he told the NRIs.

The envoy, however, acknowledged the challenges and said, “We are committed to addressing them in the spirit of friendship and good neighbourliness and respect for each other’s concerns and interests”.