DHAKA, Feb 18, 2022 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam today put emphasis on role of policy makers, media and civil society members to create positive narratives on Bangladesh-India relations through increasing people-to-people contact.

He said Bangladesh’s recent impressive economic growth has created afresh opportunities for its partners.

The state minister was speaking at the inaugural session of tenth round of the Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue, titled - Reliving Bangabandhu’s Vision for India – Bangladesh Friendship in Shimla in India, a foreign ministry press release said here.  

Alam said guided by the principles of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh believes in peace and stability so that every country may devotes its resources and energies to the pressing task of advancing the welfare of its own people.

He said that Bangabandhu laid a strong foundation of Bangladesh-India relationship based on respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and democratic norms and values.

The state minister also stressed on the unwavering commitment of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The dialogue, organized by the India Foundation and the Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies, will conclude tomorrow.

The Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue is a forum to bring together key stakeholders including think tanks and civil society from both the countries to discuss issues of relevance.

The ninth round of the dialogue was organized in Cox’s Bazar in 2019.

The inaugural session was also attended by Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur, Minister of State for External Affairs of India Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Member, Governing Council of India Foundation Ram Madhav.

Presidium Member of Awami League Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, Members of the parliament Mirza Azam, Ashim Kumar Ukil, and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran are also attending the dialogue including among others.