Bangladesh key part of India’s Act East policy: Jaishankar

Union foreign minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday said Bangladesh was not only a key part of India’s “neighbourhood first policy” but also crucial for New Delhi’s “Act East policy”, which aims to cement ties between India and South-East Asia.

He expressed confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned visit to Dhaka later this month will be “very memorable” as India’s strategic ties with Bangladesh is an all encompassing “360 degree partnership”.

Jaishankar reached Dhaka on Thursday on a day-long trip aimed at preparing the ground for Modi’s visit. The PM will participate in the celebrations of 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence and 50 years of Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. The two-day visit is expected to take place on 26-27 March.

After holding talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart A.K. Abdul Momen, Jaishankar said in a Twitter post: “Our relationship is so broad and our comfort level so high that there is no domain today that is left untouched. It is a truly a 360 degree partnership.”

“Our relations actually transcend even our strategic partnership, and I believe that our bonding is central to the realisation of a dream of a peaceful, prosperous and progressive South Asia,” he added.

Talking to reporters later, Jaishankar said the two ministers were “working to prepare for the planned visit of our Prime Minister”. “It will surely be a very memorable visit: if I recall right it would be his first visit outside India since the coronavirus pandemic and his second as Prime Minister to Bangladesh. Many of you would remember his (Modi’s) last visit (here), that was something very transformational in our relationship,” he said – referring to the 2015 visit when India and Bangladesh concluded a long-pending land boundary pact, elevating ties to a new level.

“India will always be there by your side, as a reliable friend,” he added. “We see Bangladesh as a key neighbour and a valued partner not only in South Asia but also in the broader Indo-Pacific region. Every outcome and achievement in our relationship resonates through this region. It is no secret that we cite it to others as an example for emulation,” he said.