Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma said on Sunday that they look forward to working together with Bangladesh in a forward-looking manner to strengthen people-centric cooperation in all domains.

“So, I think, of course, people-to-people exchanges are a very important part of our bilateral relations,” he said, noting that they really hope to take forward things working together in a positive, constructive, and forward-looking manner.

The high commissioner made the remarks while responding to a question after his meeting with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, reports UNB.

This was the first meeting of the Indian envoy with the new foreign minister after the formation of the new government in Bangladesh. He, however, also met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pranay Verma referred to India’s recent high-level communications with Bangladesh since the election.

On 13 February, a day after the election, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “They also spoke on phone later that day,” said the high commissioner.

On 17 February, when the new government was sworn in, the speaker of Lok Sabha visited Dhaka to attend the swearing-in ceremony, representing the government of India. He also had a bilateral meeting with the new prime minister.

“During the meeting, our Speaker handed a letter from Prime Minister Modi to Prime Minister Rahman.”

In all these communications, Verma said, they expressed the desire to build on their historic ties with Bangladesh and strengthen the multifaceted bilateral relations.

“We also underlined our commitment to support a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said.

During the meeting, the high commissioner reiterated their position that they look forward to engaging with the new government in Bangladesh.

“I conveyed that we want to strengthen our people-centric cooperation in all domains, working together in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner, based on mutual interest and mutual benefit,” he added.