BSS-59 India’s new envoy promises to promote bilateral partnership

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BSS-59

BANGLADESH-INDIA-ENVOY-LEAD

India’s new envoy promises to promote bilateral partnership

DHAKA, Oct 8, 2020 (BSS) – India’s new high commissioner in Dhaka
Vikram Kumar Doraiswami today said New Delhi entrusted him with an
assignment to nurture bilateral ties with Bangladesh and he would put
his best efforts to carry out the mission.

“My colleagues and I will spare no effort to promote this
partnership at all levels . . . My government has ordered me to do
exactly that,” the envoy said in his first media appearance after
reaching Dhaka by road through eastern Akhaura frontier.

Doraiswami said even the closest of relationships need to be
nurtured while “fraternal ties with Bangladesh is one of our highest
priorities”.

The envoy’s press briefing at his official India Bhaban residence
came shortly after he presented credentials to Bangladesh President
Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.

He said Bangladesh-India ties “goes beyond even strategic
partnerships” as it was based on shared sacrifice, history and
culture, and on the uniquely close ties of kinship.

Doraiswami said the mandate which he secured “reflected the
approach of our Government, where fraternal ties with Bangladesh is
one of our highest priorities”.

“Let me stress that Bangladesh is, was and will always be a very
special partner of India,” he said, adding, “There is not, and will
never be, a diminution of the highest level of importance that
Bangladesh holds in India”.

The new envoy said that New Delhi would work at a pace ensuring
fullest respect for Dhaka’s priorities and in a manner with which
Bangladesh people are comfortable.

“We do our best to live up to the expectations of Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

As the two countries move towards the 50th anniversary of
Bangladesh’s Liberation, the High Commissioner said he is certain the
leaders will continue to increase their expectations for their
relationship.

“It will always be our abiding honour to have offered you our
support, just as we in India offer your bravery our respectful salute,
nearly fifty years later,” he said.

Doraiswami said Bangladesh is respected for the remarkable
improvements it has recorded in social indices and achieved sustained
economic growth at the fastest pace in the South Asia under the
statesmanship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“And we, as your closest neighbours, rejoice in this well-deserved
recognition,” he added.

He reiterated India’s commitment over building fastest possible
partnership with Bangladesh of all aspect of potential COVID-19
vaccine, putting maximum efforts in eliminating border killing and
finding mutually acceptable solutions to all pending issues with
Dhaka.

The High commissioner said India is committed to work jointly to
tackle COVID-19 and in that context New Delhi will resume air
connectivity with Dhaka on a special “Air Bubble” arrangement very
soon.

In recognition of the special commemorative years-Mujib Year, the
Golden Jubilee of Liberation, and the 50th anniversary of our
bilateral diplomatic ties, the new envoy said he has decided to begin
his service to this partnership by paying homage to the heroes and
giants who brought us to this point in our history.

“I offered my humble and heartfelt tribute to the luminous
leadership of Bangabandhu, visiting the deeply moving museum to his
memory at Dhanmondi directly on arrival from the land border at
Akhaura … and I am going tomorrow to Sawar to pay respects to the
all the Martyrs to the cause of Bangladesh,” he said.

Doraiswami who replaced Riva Ganguly Das, joined the Indian Foreign
Service in 1992 and now serving as additional secretary of External
Affairs Ministry of India.

He was earlier India’s ambassador to South Korea and also joint
secretary of the Americas division in the External Affairs Ministry
from 2012-2014.

BSS/ASG/TA/MRU/2234hrs