DHAKA, July 20, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina felicitated India's West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for extending her appreciation over construction of the long-cherished Padma Bridge and said that the two Bengals have no alternative to work together to strengthen existing relations based on language, culture and ideological similarities.

"Thanks for your letter. Your sincerity and cordiality impressed me. The people of Bangladesh feel the similar solidarity with the people of West Bengal," the premier wrote in a letter to Mamata.

In the letter dated on July 12, she wrote that you (Mamata) already knew that Bangladesh has marched one step further in building a self-reliant 'Sonar Bangla' following the path shown by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by constructing the Padma multi-purpose bridge with its own fund.

"I believe that this bridge will strengthen the spiritual ties of Bangladesh with West Bengal as well as the whole India and open new doors of possibilities for commercial relations," Sheikh Hasina continued.

Inviting the West Bengal chief minister for visiting Bangladesh in a convenient time, the Prime Minister said, "I hope, an opportunity would be created to meet you during my scheduled visit to New Delhi in September 2022".

The premier also wished good health, long life and continued success of Mamata.