President Fakhrul calls for dialogue-based resolution of India-Bangladesh issues

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the early resolution of outstanding issues with India through discussions to strengthen bilateral ties.

The president made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday morning, according to the President’s Press Wing.

The press wing said the president told the high commissioner that “fair, mutually acceptable” solutions to issues of common interest would help build trust between the peoples of Bangladesh and India.

He also called on India to take effective steps towards the equitable sharing of waters from shared rivers, including the Ganges and the Teesta, saying their management directly affects people’s lives and livelihoods in both countries.

Trivedi said his government was taking positive measures on the issue, as per the press wing.

The president said Bangladesh attaches great importance to India as its closest neighbour and a major trade and development partner.

“Bangladesh is interested in building a dignified, forward-looking, mutually respectful and mutually beneficial partnership with India while upholding sovereign equality, national interests and dignity, and the welfare of the people.”

Trivedi congratulated Fakhrul on assuming office as president and conveyed his respect and good wishes.

Noting that India attaches great importance to its relations with Bangladesh, Trivedi reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including people-to-people ties.

The high commissioner said India is keen to further consolidate, improve and strengthen relations between the two countries based on “mutual respect, trust and cooperation”.

The president thanked the Indian high commissioner for congratulating him.

President Fakhrul asked the high commissioner to convey his sincere gratitude and good wishes to Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

At the meeting, the president said there is immense potential for expanding cooperation in different areas, including trade, water resources management, technology, connectivity, culture and people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“India and Bangladesh can work more closely together to achieve shared peace, development and prosperity by harnessing the capabilities and potential of the peoples of both countries.”

The Indian high commissioner hoped that the two countries would continue working together and sought the president’s cooperation in discharging his duties.

In response, the president wished the high commissioner a successful tenure and hoped that his tenure would help make relations between the two countries “more fruitful, positive and people-oriented”.

Senior officials from the President’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indian High Commission were present at the meeting.