Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with ministers and delegates from both countries on the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Minister JP Nadda and Ministers of State Jitendra Singh and Kirti Vardhan Singh were also present on the occasion to welcome the Bangladeshi Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Hasina arrived in India on Friday for a two-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This visit will give a “huge boost” to relations between India and Bangladesh, said Foreign Ministry official spokesman Randhir Jaiswal in a social media post.

“Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina arrives in New Delhi on a state visit to India. Warmly welcomed at the airport by MoS @KVSinghMPGonda. Bangladesh is an important partner and trusted neighbour of India. The visit will give a huge boost to this celebrated bilateral partnership,” Jaiswal's post on X said.

Jaishankar had called on the Bangladesh Prime Minister yesterday and following the meeting, the Union Minister said that her state visit underlined the “close and enduring relations” between the two countries.

“I am delighted to be called on Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina this evening. Her state visit to India underscores our close and enduring ties. I appreciate her leadership in further developing our special partnership,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

Newly appointed Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh welcomed the Bangladeshi Prime Minister upon her arrival at the airport.

This is the first bilateral state visit to India after the formation of the government following the 18th Lok Sabha elections, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement a day ago.

“During the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in addition to bilateral consultations with the Prime Minister,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was among the international leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers on June 9.

Over the years, India and Bangladesh have built a complex relationship marked by shared history, culture and geographical proximity. The two neighbours enjoy close ties, which have been further enhanced under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Sheikh Hasina.

The year 2023 witnessed a surge in bilateral activities between both countries as a sign of the strength of relations. Both Prime Ministers jointly inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline in a virtual format on March 18.

The Bangladeshi Prime Minister also virtually participated in the opening session of the Voice of the Global South Summit on January 11, 2023 and the second virtual Voice of the Global South Summit on November 17, 2023.