After 9 yrs, Mamata meets B'desh envoy at Nabanna
met Bangladesh high commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah at Nabanna on Monday, for nearly 40 minutes.
This marked the first such interaction since 2016, when Syed Muazzem Ali, the then Bangladesh high commissioner, had met the CM.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Despite attempts by subsequent envoys, meetings did not materialise.
Chief secretary Manoj Pant attended Monday's meeting along with Bangladesh's acting deputy high commissioner in Kolkata, Sikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman. Nabanna officials remained reserved about the meeting's details and Hamidullah was unavailable for comment.
Hamidullah posted on X: "Paid a courtesy call on CM of West Bengal in Kolkata.
She reflected on deeper Bangladesh-India connects and need to strengthen ties in shared interests in mutually beneficial ways."
The Bangladesh deputy high commission released a statement describing it as a courtesy meeting. "Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed her hope to the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Riaz Hamidullah, at her office in Nabanna, to strengthen the traditional ties between the people of Bengal and Bangladesh.
During the cordial and warm courtesy meeting, the CM requested the High Commissioner to convey her greetings to Bangladesh's chief advisor Professor Dr Yunus and the people of Bangladesh.
This was the first courtesy meeting of the newly appointed High Commissioner of Bangladesh with any chief minister of India. During the meeting, the CM noted that the enduring linguistic, cultural and shared values-based spiritual connection between the people of Bengal and Bangladesh goes beyond economic and commercial relations.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
She expressed her commitment to maintaining her communication with Bangladesh in the future," it said.
The meeting took place in the backdrop of recent tensions following the vandalism of
's historic 'Kachhari Bari' at Sirajganj two weeks ago. The Nobel laureate had close links with the Sirajganj house as he used to visit this place frequently.
Banerjee sent a strongly worded letter to PM Narendra Modi on June 12, requesting intervention with the Bangladesh govt. In her letter, she said: "I would urge you to kindly take up the matter very strongly with the neighbouring country's govt, so that no stone is left unturned to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous and mindless act. Although untold damage has already been done, a strong international protest would at least deter in future any attack on monuments of cultural legacies that have withstood steadfastly all tests of time.
"
Diplomatic sources indicated that Hamidullah may have explained the actual circumstances of the vandalism to the CM, as Dhaka had previously said that it was a local law enforcement matter.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
MoS Margherita says India, South Africa relations based on mutual trust
Last Updated: Johannesburg, Jul 26 (PTI) 'Relations between India and South Africa are based on shared history, mutual trust and goodwill," said Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in South Africa on Saturday. 'India's engagement with Africa, including South Africa, is guided by the principles of Prime Minister Modi. Our engagement with Africa is not transitional; it is transformational," he said while addressing a gathering of Assamese expatriates and Indian-origin South Africans here. Margherita said that India regards its diaspora as one of its greatest assets while seeking their support 'to strengthen the India-South Africa relationships." He urged the diaspora to continue to launch new ventures, initiate joint projects, create more jobs and explore new markets together in India, South Africa and beyond. Margherita wrapped up his 10-day visit to three southern African countries–Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa–on Saturday and left for Dubai. Earlier this week, Margherita participated in the 4th meeting of the G20 Development Working Group, held in the iconic Kruger National Park, hosted by South Africa, which currently holds the G20 Presidency. PTI FH RD RD RD Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
2 hours ago
- India Today
UK deal gold standard for trade negotiations with other partners: Piyush Goyal
Commenting on the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the deal could become a "gold standard" in trade agreements, ensuring protection for India's sensitive and labour-intensive the global significance of the agreement, Goyal asserted that the FTA reflects India's growing relevance on the world stage. He stressed that the government has ensured "zero compromise, extensive benefit" for Indian businesses while safeguarding all sensitive Minister clarified that the government has not opened key labour-intensive industries such as dairy, rice, and sugar to British companies. "The Modi government has signed FTAs with developed nations that don't pose a competitive threat to India," Goyal also announced that six UK universities will soon open campuses in India, marking a new phase in bilateral educational the FTA comprehensive, Goyal noted, "The agreement has 30 chapters—I don't recall any other FTA with so many."Taking a dig at the previous UPA regime, Goyal said, "The UPA signed most FTAs with ASEAN countries, who did not open their markets to the same extent as India did."The Indian cabinet has already approved the FTA, which is expected to take the British Parliament a few months to a year to clear. The India-UK agreement, signed on Thursday, is set to boost bilateral trade by USD 34 billion annually, making it the largest trade pact the UK has entered into since exiting the European Union in Indian cabinet has already approved the Free Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom and could take the British Parliament a few months or up to a year to clear this free trade agreement. - EndsTune InMust Watch
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Economic ties with Beijing may be easing but with caution, says FM Sitharaman
New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday indicated the possibility of stepping up India-China business engagement, stating that various domestic stakeholders have been calling on the government to facilitate greater access to the Chinese market and investments, and that Beijing has also reached out for the purpose. "There is something, some kind of a beginning. As to how far it will go that's something we have to wait and see. But it might help the economy. However, a sense of caution would have to be built into it," Sitharaman said. She was speaking at a function held in Delhi for the release of a book in honour of economist Shankar Acharya. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Others Data Science Healthcare CXO PGDM Design Thinking Data Science Artificial Intelligence Public Policy Degree Digital Marketing healthcare Product Management Project Management Technology Management Leadership Finance Data Analytics Cybersecurity MCA MBA Operations Management others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 months IIM Lucknow SEPO - IIML CHRO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 28 Weeks MICA CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Bilateral trade a priority India had put in place greater checks on foreign direct investment (FDI) from China and other bordering nations, suspended tourist visas and banned scores of Chinese apps after the Galwan clash in 2020 in Ladakh, initiated by Beijing's troops. The measures coincided with the onset of Covid-19. Later, the government extended visas to certain Chinese professionals to push the completion of Indian renewable projects. This week, India resumed tourist visas to the neighbouring country. In March, Beijing lifted visa curbs on Indian citizens. External affairs minister S Jaishankar this month visited China for the first time in six years and met President Xi Jinping amid efforts from both sides to reset ties. Sitharaman also said trade talks with the US and the European Union are going well. 'It is bilateral trade which is taking priority over multilateral trade,' she said, referring to the changed global environment.
