Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in continuation of her “mango diplomacy” has sent one metric ton of Amrapali mangoes to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a goodwill gesture just ahead of the consultative meeting between the two friendly neighbouring countries.

A statement released by the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi said: "The mangoes were sent to the residents of His Excellency President and Honourable Prime Minister of India through diplomatic channels today.”

Incidentally, a consignment of mangoes as a gift from Hasina is also being sent to the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This is likely to reach Kolkata next week.

The statement also highlighted that the diplomatic relationship between India and Bangladesh had reached new heights and the "Mango & Hilsa diplomacy" was making the ties more gratifying.

The mango diplomacy comes ahead of the Joint Consultative Commission meeting tomorrow (Sunday) in New Delhi which is to discuss the scheduled date of PM Hasina’s visit to India.

Besides this the JCC meeting will also discuss a whole array of bilateral issues and will be attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Bangladesh Foreign Minister, AK Abdul Momen. Momen arrives in the Capital today for the JCC and is expected to return tomorrow.

Last year, Hasina had sent Haribhanga mangoes generally grown in Rangpur as a gift to Modi and the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam.