Foreign Minister arrives in Delhi on two-day visit

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday afternoon for a two-day visit to India ahead of the Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius.

He was received at Indira Gandhi International Airport by B Shyam, head of the Bangladesh-Myanmar Division at India’s External Affairs Ministry, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Riaz Hamidullah.

Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared photos of the arrival and said, “Warm welcome to FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh on his arrival in New Delhi today [Tuesday].

“India and Bangladesh share warm and historic ties anchored in strong people to people relations. The visit will further bolster India Bangladesh partnership.”

According to India’s external affairs ministry, Khalilur is scheduled to hold a series of meetings on Wednesday (8 April) with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal during the “stopover” in New Delhi.

Diplomatic sources said issues likely to be discussed during the visit include energy cooperation, resumption of India’s tourist visa services, renewal of the Ganges water-sharing treaty, Bangladesh’s candidature for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, and different trade-related matters.

The possible visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India may also come up during the discussions.

Following the meetings, Khalilur will fly to Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, on Thursday (9 April) morning.

According to BBC Bangla, he and Jaishankar are scheduled to travel on the same Air Mauritius commercial flight.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Humaiun Kobir is accompanying the minister.