Summary: Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers. Sheikh Hasina also had a one-on-one meeting with Modi, congratulating him on his election victory and expressing her willingness to strengthen bilateral ties. The meeting highlighted the historical connections between their families, dating back to the relationship between Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Indira Gandhi during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Sheikh Hasina invited Modi to visit Bangladesh, emphasizing ongoing cooperation between the two nations.
In a notable diplomatic engagement, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Indian capital. The meeting took place during Sheikh Hasina’s visit to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his council of ministers.
Sheikh Hasina’s visit to New Delhi was part of a high-profile event that included significant leaders from India’s neighborhood and the Indian Ocean region. Among the attendees were Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The relationship between Sheikh Hasina and the Gandhi family has historical roots, tracing back to the rapport between their predecessors. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina’s father, shared a warm relationship with Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi played a crucial role during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, supporting the country’s independence from Pakistan, fostering a long-standing sense of gratitude and mutual respect.
During her visit, Sheikh Hasina engaged in a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where she extended her congratulations to him and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for their election victory. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Muhammad Hasan Mahmud, highlighted Sheikh Hasina’s intentions, stating, “…PM Sheikh Hasina attended the oath-taking ceremony (of PM Modi and the council of ministers) and after that, she had a one-to-one meeting with PM Narendra Modi, where she again congratulated him and the NDA for winning the elections. She expresses her willingness to work with the new government in future to strengthen the ties.”
In her discussions, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her commitment to bolstering bilateral relations and invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Bangladesh, emphasizing the ongoing cooperation and friendship between the two nations.
This meeting between the Gandhi’s and Sheikh Hasina underscores the enduring diplomatic ties and personal connections that continue to shape the relationship between India and Bangladesh. The historical and familial bonds shared by their leaders pave the way for continued collaboration and mutual support, reflecting a legacy of cooperation and shared values.