Commerce Minister of Government of India and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Shri Piyush Goyal MP expressed firm optimism for political stability and progress in Bangladesh. He said that India was always sincere and forthcoming in maintaining excellent relations with Bangladesh. He also gave a strong commitment that the Indian Government is actively considering to lift all restrictions on essential commodities for the greater benefit of business and commerce of the two countries so that the Bangladesh government may get a predictable flow of essential commodities during their needs. Besides, the Indian Government is also giving priority on importing essential items from Bangladesh.

The commerce minister of India was expressing his views during his meeting with the Bangladesh Awami League delegation in his Parliament office on August 8, 2023.

A delegation of the Bangladesh Awami League led by Dr Abdur Razzak, Agricultural Minister, visited India at the invitation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Other members of the delegation were Dr Hasan Mahmud MP, Information & Broadcasting Minister, Aroma Dutta MP, Merina Jahan MP and central organising secretary Mr Sujit Roy Nandi.

They also discussed different political issues of mutual interest. Piyush Goyal assured the delegates that India wants a politically stable Bangladesh. “We are always sympathetic to Bangladesh issues. Whatever issues came in during the current regime in Bangladesh, India always takes care with special consideration,” the minister said. Both the leaders expressed optimism to continue and strengthen these partnerships in the days ahead.

The delegation also met G-20 Coordinator and former foreign Secretary of India Mr Harsha Vardhan Shringla. This meeting too was led by Bangladesh Agriculture Minister Dr Razzak. Mr Shringla said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy is ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Bangladesh is first among all these neighbours.

He added that India never wanted any inimical forces to come to power which patronise radicalisation and militancy. India also believes that Bangladesh has progressed tremendously in the last decade under the current leadership. Earlier in the day, the delegation visited the national war memorial of India.