Ahead of G20 summit, PM Modi holds bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina held bilateral talks today in the capital. Hasina arrived in New Delhi this afternoon today to participate in the G20 summit. “Had productive deliberations with PM Sheikh Hasina. The progress in India-Bangladesh relations in the last 9 years has been very gladdening. Our talks covered areas like connectivity, commercial linkage and more,” Modi said after the meeting.

Sources said that issues relating to shared economic growth and connectivity were discussed between the two leaders, who share a close bond.

This is the first time Bangladesh has been part of the G20 deliberations. India under its G20 presidency invited nine countries including Bangladesh to be part of the G20. Bangladesh is the only South Asian nation to be invited this year. The move is a reflection of Modi’s Neighbourhood Policy.

The G20 platform has also given an opportunity to Bangladesh to showcase itself as it gears up to exit the least developed countries list in 2026.

Modi described Bangladesh as a “soho jatri” or a co-traveller in the development of the region.

Three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in agricultural research, cultural exchange programmes, easing transactions between Bangladeshi Taka and Indian Rupee are also expected to be signed.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,096-km long border– the fifth-longest land border in the world. Several states including West Bengal, Assam Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram have international borders with Bangladesh.

Recently, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said the “Indian Presidency of G20 has literally transformed the forum, not just in form but also in substance.” Among other things, under its one year presidency, India proposed the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 frame as it aims to become the voice of the Global South.

“We believe that our honourable Prime Minister’s participation at the G20 Summit in New Delhi will add yet another feather to the ‘Sonali Adhyay’ or ‘Golden Chapter’ of our bilateral relations,” Momen said.

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