Foreign Secretary in Dhaka to reset ties

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 18

Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla today landed in Dhaka on a surprise visit which, sources said, was meant to remove misgivings and reset ties against the backdrop of several overtures made by China.

During his two-day stay, details of which are officially being kept under wraps, Shringla is expected to call on PM Sheikh Hasina.

The significance of the visit can be gauged from the fact that this is Shringla’s first overseas visit after the lockdown and he will be Hasina’s first overseas visitor as well. The Foreign Secretary is likely to meet Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and his counterpart Masud Bin Momen.

The Ministry of External Affairs, however, without giving details, said the visit was meant to “discuss and take forward cooperation on matters of mutual interest.”

Bangladesh media claims the trip follows Bangladesh’s announcement that it will soon get a $1 billion loan from China for the Teesta river project. PM Narendra Modi had promised a deal on Teesta waters during his Dhaka visit five years back but was unable to deliver on it. The UPA, too, had almost finalised the Teesta deal but it was then torpedoed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

India has named Vikram Doraiswami to succeed Riva Ganguly Das as the India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh who will take over at the Ministry of External Affairs as Secretary (East). Shringla is also expected to discuss programmes chalked out to celebrate 50 years of Liberation struggle this year.

First overseas visit Post lockdown

This is Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla’s first overseas visit after the lockdown. Shringla will be Bangaldesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s first overseas visitor as well.