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  India   All India  01 Jan 2019  PM Modi speaks to Sheikh Hasina, hails her poll victory

PM Modi speaks to Sheikh Hasina, hails her poll victory

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : Jan 1, 2019, 2:23 am IST
Updated : Jan 1, 2019, 2:23 am IST

Modi expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Bangladesh will continue to flourish under her far-sighted leadership.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Photo: AP)
 Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Hours after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League swept the general elections in that country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to her on telephone and hailed the results. The swift move indicates that India is backing Sheikh Hasina to the hilt, despite the Opposition parties in that country rejecting the result. Reflective of the extremely close ties between the two nations and warm rapport between the two leaders, PM Modi “warmly congratulated the people of Bangladesh for reaffirming their faith in democracy, development and the vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman”(Sheikh Hasina’s father who was assassinated in 1975). The conversation between the two leaders was “very cordial”.

PM Modi also “reiterated the priority India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour, a close partner for regional development, security and cooperation, and a central pillar in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy”. Reciprocating the warmth in ties, the Bangladesh PM appreciated the fact that PM Modi was the first foreign leader to call and congratulate her over the electoral results.

In a statement, India said, “We welcome the successful completion of the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. India warmly congratulates the people of Bangladesh for reaffirming their faith in democracy, development and the vision of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

The MEA also said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has telephoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this morning to convey his heartiest congratulations on the decisive results of the election. He expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Bangladesh will continue to flourish under her far-sighted leadership.

New Delhi added, “PM Sheikh Hasina thanked Prime Minister for being the first leader to call her to convey congratulations. She also thanked India for their consistent and generous support which has benefited Bangladesh’s development, and appreciated PM’s reiteration of this commitment. The conversation was very cordial, fully reflecting the close and traditionally friendly relations between India and Bangladesh.”

Tags: sheikh hasina, narendra modi
Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi