Sheikh Hasina begins India visit; says friendship can solve any problem

New Delhi: As she began a four-day State visit to India on Tuesday, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared that friendship can overcome any issue.

At the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt here, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Hasina where she received a tri-services guard of honour.

When speaking with the media at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, Hasina said her discussions with Modi would centre on enhancing the situation of the populace in each nation, reducing poverty, and fostering economic growth.

"Our main aim is to develop the economy and fulfil the basic needs of our people. With friendship, you can solve any problem. So we always do that," Hasina said, PTI reported.

She also offered floral tributes at Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi Hasina arrived in Delhi on Monday afternoon and is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Modi later Tuesday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Hasina on Monday evening. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani also called on the Bangladeshi prime minister Monday evening.

During her stay, Hasina will also call on President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Hasina also visited Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah in the national capital on Monday and is scheduled to travel to Ajmersharif on Thursday.

Bangladesh is now India's biggest trade partner in South Asia and the bilateral trade has grown from USD 9 billion to USD 18 billion in the last five years.

It has also become the fourth largest export destination for India with the exports registering a growth of over 66 per cent from USD 9.69 billion in 2020-21 to USD 16.15 billion in 2021-22.