Rohingya issue top on agenda as Sushma Swaraj leaves for Bangladesh
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is visiting Dhaka six months after a successful visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.
In Short
- Sushma Swaraj will discuss Rohingya crisis with Bangladesh.
- Bangladesh has sought help from India to handle Rohingya crisis.
- Sushma will inaugurate 15 projects funded by India.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today left for Dhaka on a two-day Bangladesh visit. Among other things, Sushma Swaraj will discuss the ongoing Rohingya crisis during her visit to Dhaka.
Bangladesh has been dealing with the Rohingya issue for a long time because of the huge influx of refugees from Myanmar and has sought help from India in de-escalating the crisis.
Announcing her departure from New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar wrote on Twitter, "External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj departs for Bangladesh to review the excellent bilateral relations and further strengthen ties."
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In an official statement regarding her visit to Dhaka on October 22-23, Ministry of External Affairs said that it is primarily to participate in the joint consultative commission and to "review the excellent bilateral relations".
"During the visit, EAM and the Bangladesh Foreign Minister will co-chair the 4th meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission. EAM is expected to meet the Bangladeshi leadership and also interact with the representatives of leading Bangladeshi think tanks, chambers of commerce and industry and cultural organisations," the statement read.
During her visit, Swaraj will also call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad. The two sides are working out a meeting with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia as well. She will interact with the representatives of leading Bangladeshi think tanks, chambers of commerce and industry and cultural organisations.
The external affairs minister will inaugurate 15 development projects funded by India from the chancery building. The projects cover sectors such as education, healthcare, Information Technology, water supply and social welfare.
Sushma Swaraj's Dhaka visit comes after a very successful visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in April this year.
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