India Reaffirms Support to Bangladesh, Stresses People-Centric Ties

The meeting was held on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Bangladesh.

Misri and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India during the event.

In a post on X, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh said, "Foreign Secretary of India Shri Vikram Misri had a courtesy meeting with the leader of opposition of Bangladesh and the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr Shafiqur Rahman, on the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of the new government in Bangladesh."

Misri stressed the people-centric nature of India-Bangladesh ties, while the Jamaat chief expressed hope in further strengthening the relations.

"FS conveyed greetings to Dr Rahman on his new role and reaffirmed India's enduring support to Bangladesh, underscoring the people-centric nature of the ties. Dr Shafiqur Rahman highlighted the deep civilisational bonds shared by the two countries and expressed hope for stronger bilateral relations," the Indian mission added.

Earlier, in its election manifesto, the Jamaat had pledged to pursue peaceful and cooperative relations with neighbouring countries, including India, rooted in "mutual respect and fairness".

The 13th parliamentary election was held alongside the referendum on the July National Charter on February 12 in 299 out of the country's 300 constituencies.

In the elections, the BNP won 209 parliamentary seats, while the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats.

BNP's chairman, Tarique Rahman, on Tuesday took oath as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking nearly two decades of the party coming back to power. He is also the first male PM of Bangladesh in 35 years.

Even though the Jamaat did not win the elections, the radical Islamist party is the largest Opposition party in the Parliament.

- IANS