Sheikh Hasina may visit India in July; EAM's Dhaka trip to set pace

Eyeing to expand India's neighbourhood outreach, foreign minister S Jaishankar is planning to visit Dhaka on Thursday to hand over an invite from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to undertake a visit to New Delhi in July.

The foreign minister is expected to visit Bhutan immediately after his Dhaka visit in what would be the first high-level visit to India's closest neighbour since the pandemic. Bhutan has been extremely cautious in reopening. This visit comes close on the heels of Nepal PM's India visit and Jaishankar's own trip to the Maldives. Besides, India has come forward to assist the Sri Lankan economy, which is facing strongest headwinds ever.

During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to call on Hasina and give further impetus to cross-border connectivity initiatives, ET has learnt. The two sides are expected to hold a meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission in New Delhi in May. The two foreign ministers will co-chair the JCC meeting.


Jaishankar and Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen are also expected on the sidelines of an India-Bangladesh friendship dialogue in Guwahati in June, ET has learnt.

Ahead of the minister's visit, foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla referred to growth in Indo-Bangla ties. He was speaking on Monday at the Bangladesh High Commission here at an awards ceremony for a competition to design the logo and backdrop for the Maitree Diwas (Friendship Day) celebrations between both the countries, to commemorate 50 years of their bilateral diplomatic ties, in 18 different world capitals.

"Today, the India and Bangladesh relationship is enjoying a 'shonali adhaya' (golden chapter). And our plan is to take it to the next level in the coming days. The momentum we have achieved in the relationship is one we must continue to maintain for the benefit of the people of both countries," Shringla said.