Dhaka (Bangladesh): As the Union External Affairs Minister set off on a three-nation tour, S Jaishankar on Thursday evening reached Bangladesh to participate in the sixth edition of the Indian Ocean Conference. Upon his arrival, the External Affairs Minister was welcomed by his Bangladeshi counterpart Md. Shahriar Alam. Jaishankar is on a three-nation tour during which he will visit Bangladesh, Sweden and Belgium.
The India Foundation, in association with Bangladesh’s foreign ministry, has organised the sixth edition of the conference with its theme, “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future”.
The meeting, a two-day meeting from May 12, aims to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation, a statement by the India Foundation said.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam received the Indian foreign minister upon his arrival, a Bangladesh foreign office spokesman said.
Alam, in a tweet after receiving the Indian foreign minister, said, “Looking forward to his exchanges and share ideas for greater regional prosperity.”
“Always a pleasure to welcome Dr S Jaishankar, who has always supported IOC (Indian Ocean Conference),” he added.
However, EAM Jaishankar also thanked Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Md Shahriar Alam for the warm welcome.
“Reached Dhaka. Thank Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh @MdShahriarAlam for the warm welcome. Look forward to meeting colleagues and friends from across the world at the Indian Ocean Conference,” EAM Dr. Jaishankar tweeted.
ঢাকায় পৌঁছেছি। উষ্ণ অভ্যর্থনার জন্য বাংলাদেশের পররাষ্ট্র প্রতিমন্ত্রী @MdShahriarAlam-কে ধন্যবাদ।
ভারত মহাসাগরীয় সম্মেলনে সারা বিশ্ব থেকে আগত সহকর্মী ও বন্ধুদের সাথে সাক্ষাৎ করার জন্য উন্মুখ। https://t.co/0cBCR6HpMg
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 11, 2023
According to the information, the Indian Ocean Conference will be attended by the President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun, Vice President of Maldives Faisal Naseem, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and several ministers from across the world.
Meanwhile, earlier to this EAM Dr. S Jaishankar called on Bangladeshi Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Thursday evening.
“Honoured to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. Conveyed personal greetings and warm regards of PM @narendramodi. The guidance and vision of our leaders continues to strengthen India-Bangladesh Maitri,” Jaishankar tweeted.
From Bangladesh, Jaishankar will travel to Sweden. This will be his first visit as EAM to the Nordic country and comes at a time when India and Sweden are celebrating 75 years of establishing diplomatic relations. Sweden currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. According to a Ministry of External Affairs release, Jaishankar will participate in the second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF) in Sweden.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar will also hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers of several countries on the margins of EIPMF. During his stay, he will call on leadership in Sweden and meet with key ministers. He will also participate in the inaugural session of the India Trilateral Forum (India, Europe and the US) with his Swedish counterpart.
In the last leg of the visit, EAM will visit Brussels for bilateral engagements with Belgian and EU officials. He will also attend the first Ministerial Meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council along with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
