Sweets and cookies add flavour to Indo-Bangladesh bond, says Foreign Secy

New Delhi: 

(President Kovind's ongoing visit is vital. Both sides have set the stage for an exponential increase in ties,  in 50 years, even in 10 years from now, "one will see very changed countries", Foreign Secretary Shringla said.) 

President Ram Nath Kovind's Bangladesh visit is also marked by personal touch and 'sweetness'.

Mr Kovind carrier some special sweet and cookies for his host, President of Bangladesh, Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Answering questions at the media briefing in Delhi on Wednesday evening, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said: "I think when you have an occasion like this, you also need a personal touch. Rashtrapati Bhavan, the house of the President of India, like Banga Bhavan, the House the President of Bangladesh, has its own bakery. And they especially made some sweets and cookies for the Honourable President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. And those are, I would say the added touch that is there."

With regard the Indo-Bangladesh relationship for the next 50, Mr Shringla said : "I think we certainly are looking to the future. Both our countries have young populations, we are looking at dynamic growth. This is after all the Asian century. And I think we are both aspirational nations. And I think today what we have achieved is an incredible".

He said both the countries have come a long way in achieving synergies in connectivity, in terms of joint manufacturing, in terms of joint  cooperation, "resolving intractable issues in the most amicable manner".

He further said: "And I think what we have done is we have set the stage for an exponential increase in ties, and I think in 50 years, even in 10 years from now, you will see very changed countries".

The Foreign Secretary said, "you will see a very, very different countries and I think the cooperation that we have is important. We are looking at areas of cooperation that are cutting edge, we are looking at green technologies."

Both the countries will also work together on renewables in this era of climate change.

"We are looking together and working at areas that can appeal and enhance employment for younger generations like IT and digital platforms," Mr Shringla said.

Some excerpts from Shrinla's briefing:  

"The 16th of December marks the date on which Pakistani forces surrendered to the joint Indian and Bangladeshi forces. And it is a day on which the state of Bangladesh was created. It is a day that is important to both our countries and it is fitting that our two countries are celebrating this event jointly at the highest levels."

"This is the President's first visit outside India since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic. It is also his first visit to Bangladesh. As you know, this year of course, has been very significant for the relationship. 

It marks the Triveni of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Bangladesh, 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries and also the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

With the Honourable Prime Minister, the discussion was comprehensive, encompassing many areas for multifaceted cooperation, including jointly preserving the legacy of Bangabandhu and the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, particularly among the youth of both our countries. 

And you're aware that we are undertaking a number of initiatives in that regard. I'll come to that, as I go on. President commented and I think he was very laudatory of the impressive socio economic gains made by Bangladesh in recent years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.