Eid diplomacy: Bangladesh PM Rahman seeks stronger ties in letter to PM Modi | India News

Narendra Modi And his Bangladeshi counterpart Tariq Rahman indulged in some Eid diplomacy this week, with Rahman hoping in a letter to Modi on Friday that the auspicious occasion would further strengthen the long-standing friendship and people-to-people bonds between the two countries. “It brings communities together in a spirit of celebration, sharing and generosity. I join Your Excellency in wishing that this auspicious occasion brings peace, prosperity and happiness to our people and communities around the world,” Rahman said. The letter was sent after Eid greetings to Modi’s Rahman and the people of Bangladesh.Rahman had earlier written to Modi outlining his vision for India-Bangladesh relations and hinted that Dhaka was ready to move forward unhindered by the past.Rahman, who was elected to office with a landslide majority, made three important points in the letter dated February 26. First, underlining the “historic and long-standing” relationship between the two countries, Rahman said Bangladesh attaches high importance to its relationship with India shaped by shared history, culture and geography. According to Rahman, the people of India and Bangladesh share considerable similarities and have deep ties.Second, as Rahman says, both countries need to solve the problem in a way that will benefit the common man. He said in the letter that by doing so, both countries could achieve a lot in terms of their shared interests. Rahman said Dhaka is looking forward to advancing relations based on dignity, equality, mutual trust and respect and “benefit sharing”.Third, and in a more personal outreach to Modi, Rahman said in his letter, delivered within weeks of his swearing-in, that he was aware of the Indian prime minister’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Rahman said leaders can – and need – revive cooperative engagement to secure people “for the longest time” for peace, harmony, stability and prosperity. The mention of Viksit Bharat is significant as the Indian government has made that vision a key foreign policy theme, with initiatives aimed at strengthening development partnerships with friendly countries in line with India’s strategic interests.