Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narenda Modi had a bilateral meeting in Goa on Sunday night reassuring that Bangladesh and India will remain together for the sake of development, reports UNB. The meeting was held at Leela Hotel in Goa, India. "For the sake of development, Bangladesh will remain beside India while India beside Bangladesh," Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque told reporters after the meeting. He said the Indian Prime Minister highly appreciated the anti-terrorism stance of Bangladesh government. "Modi also wanted to know from Hasina about the secret behind the success of her government in containing terrorism," the Foreign Secretary said. Shahidul Haque termed the meeting of the two leaders of the neighbouring countries as fruitful as it was held in a very cordial atmosphere.
PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said Sheikh Hasina informed the Indian Prime Minister about the awareness among people regarding her government's anti-terrorism stance. "We're creating awareness against terrorism from the family level as the Imams of mosques are talking about the darkness of terrorism," the PM's Press Secretary quoted Sheikh Hasina as telling Modi. He also said Hasina mentioned about the huge positive response from people about the awareness building against terrorism. Responding to a question regarding the longstanding Teesta water sharing treaty, Shahidul Haque said the issue did not come up for discussion at the meeting. "But, the Indian Prime Minister assured  his Bangladesh counterpart to resolve all the problems with united efforts."
Replying to another question, he said there is a possibility of a bilateral visit by Sheikh Hasina to India in December next. "The Foreign Ministry is working on it," he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned home yesterday morning after attending the BRICS-BIMSTEC Leaders' Outreach Summit at Goa in India.
A VVIP flight of Bangladesh Biman carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:30 am. Ministers and high civil and military officials received the Prime Minister at the airport. The Prime Minister departed Goa for home at 7:10 am (Local time) after attending the BRICS-BIMSTEC Leaders' Outreach Summit. Indian State Minister for External Affairs MJ Akbar, Minister for Science and Technology of Goa Alina Saldanha, Secretary (coordination) of the government of Goa Padma Jaiswal, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Syed Moazzem Ali and Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Mumbai Samina Naz saw the Prime Minister off at the airport. Prior to her departure, Sheikh Hasina was given a static guard of honour by members Indian Armed Forces, while artistes displayed local cultural activities in her honour.