Bharatiya Foreign Secretary, Vinay Kwatra, is scheduled to visit Bangladesh this weekend to assess bilateral relations and lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Kwatra plans to meet with his Bangladeshi counterparts, Masud Bin Momen and Hasan Mahmud, during his day-long visit on April 20. Discussions are anticipated to encompass various issues, including the evolving situation in neighboring Myanmar, where the junta has faced setbacks against resistance forces.
Kwatra’s visit marks the second high-level interaction between Bharatiya and Bangladeshi officials since Hasina’s reelection for a historic fifth term in January. Earlier, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had undertaken an unannounced visit to Dhaka in February, closely followed by the Bangladeshi foreign minister’s trip to Bharat.
Sources also indicated that discussions during Kwatra’s visit will center on solidifying plans for bilateral relationship between both the nations. Despite the invitation for Prime Minister Hasina to visit Bharat, it is unlikely to materialize prior to Bharat’s general elections conclude in early June. Hasina also intends to visit China before heading to Bharat, and Kwatra’s visit aims to facilitate preparations for her New Delhi trip.
The anticipated visit is slated for late June or early July, with a possibility of a meeting between Kwatra and Prime Minister Hasina.
Additionally, discussions will encompass the situation in Myanmar, which poses significant security challenges for both Bharat and Bangladesh. Resistance forces in Myanmar have seized crucial border trade and crossing points along the frontiers with Bharat, Bangladesh, China, and Thailand, further complicating the regional landscape.
The ongoing conflict in Myanmar has led to incursions by Myanmarese troops into Bharatiya and Bangladeshi territories as they seek refuge from the fighting.
As such, addressing the repercussions of the Myanmar crisis is expected to be a prominent agenda item during Kwatra’s meetings in Dhaka. Both countries will likely strategize on managing the security implications stemming from the turmoil in their neighboring nation.
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