Ties between India and Bangladesh are in a so-called "golden phase" with New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years&nbsp;bolstering their relations by signing several agreements in the fields of technology, trade, and infrastructure, among others. As India takes over the presidency of the G20 forum from Indonesia, the nation has also extended an invitation to Bangladesh, a non-member state — making it the only country in South Asia to participate in the 2023 summit in New Delhi.

In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Bangladesh's state minister of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam said that the bond shared by New Delhi and Dhaka, their leaders "Prime Minister Sheikh&nbsp;Hasina&nbsp;and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unparalleled, incomparable to any other achievements that bilateral neighbouring countries have&nbsp;made despite having some issues."

Speaking to WION on the sidelines of the sixth Indian Ocean Conference 2023 in Dhaka, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs commented on Bangladesh's ties with India vs China, how important the G20 summit invitation is, and more.

<h2>The ‘golden phase’ of the India-Bangladesh relationship and the challenges</h2>

When asked about the challenges faced by the bilateral ties between New Delhi and Dhaka, Alam said that while "neighbours will always come with challenges," the two nations share an unparalleled historical past and bond.

He said that there exists a "proper platform to discuss," the challenges, but that the "achievements have superseded much compared to the challenges."

"The takeaway from the relationship, especially (in the) last 10 years, is humongous," he added.

<h2>India-Bangladesh ties vs Bangladesh-China relations</h2>

When asked about the constant India vs China debate and which nation would Dhaka favour if it had to choose, the minister said that he believes it isn't a question about favouring, instead he said it is a bilateral issue.

Alam said that India and China are the two major economies his nation has trade imbalances with.

He said that "China is a friend to Bangladesh," in the nation's "developmental journey" and that Beijing has "achieved a lot in engineering, in commercial power, in bringing in raw materials."

According to Alam, Bangladesh is utilising imports&nbsp;from both India and China and "converting them into value-added products," due to which the nation has "reached a $50 billion-plus exports."

However, he added that while China is a friend, Bangladesh's "with India is at a different level because of the history."

Watch the interview here:

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<h2>Bangladesh at the 2023 G20 Summit</h2>

Reiterating his gratitude to India for the invitation to the important summit, Alam said that Bangladesh's status as the only South Asian country invited goes to show "the respect in the relationship and the potential that Bangladesh can bring in the experience and stories" to the G20 table.

He added that it "goes on to inform the other nineteen (G20) members" of what Bangladesh has to offer, and would also help make sure that "countries in this other region and also LDC countries (least developed countries) are not forgotten."

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Ties between India and Bangladesh are in a so-called "golden phase" with New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years bolstering their relations by signing several agreements in the fields of technology, trade, and infrastructure, among others.

Ties between India and Bangladesh are in a so-called "golden phase" with New Delhi and Dhaka in recent years bolstering their relations by signing several agreements in the fields of technology, trade, and infrastructure, among others. As India takes over the presidency of the G20 forum from Indonesia, the nation has also extended an invitation to Bangladesh, a non-member state — making it the only country in South Asia to participate in the 2023 summit in New Delhi. In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Bangladesh's state minister of Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam said that the bond shared by New Delhi and Dhaka, their leaders "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unparalleled, incomparable to any other achievements that bilateral neighbouring countries have made despite having some issues." Speaking to WION on the sidelines of the sixth Indian Ocean Conference 2023 in Dhaka, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs commented on Bangladesh's ties with India vs China, how important the G20 summit invitation is, and more. The ‘golden phase’ of the India-Bangladesh relationship and the challenges When asked about the challenges faced by the bilateral ties between New Delhi and Dhaka, Alam said that while "neighbours will always come with challenges," the two nations share an unparalleled historical past and bond. He said that there exists a "proper platform to discuss," the challenges, but that the "achievements have superseded much compared to the challenges." "The takeaway from the relationship, especially (in the) last 10 years, is humongous," he added. India-Bangladesh ties vs Bangladesh-China relations When asked about the constant India vs China debate and which nation would Dhaka favour if it had to choose, the minister said that he believes it isn't a question about favouring, instead he said it is a bilateral issue. Alam said that India and China are the two major economies his nation has trade imbalances with. He said that "China is a friend to Bangladesh," in the nation's "developmental journey" and that Beijing has "achieved a lot in engineering, in commercial power, in bringing in raw materials." According to Alam, Bangladesh is utilising imports from both India and China and "converting them into value-added products," due to which the nation has "reached a $50 billion-plus exports." However, he added that while China is a friend, Bangladesh's "with India is at a different level because of the history." Watch the interview here: Bangladesh at the 2023 G20 Summit Reiterating his gratitude to India for the invitation to the important summit, Alam said that Bangladesh's status as the only South Asian country invited goes to show "the respect in the relationship and the potential that Bangladesh can bring in the experience and stories" to the G20 table. He added that it "goes on to inform the other nineteen (G20) members" of what Bangladesh has to offer, and would also help make sure that "countries in this other region and also LDC countries (least developed countries) are not forgotten." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Exclusive | China ‘a friend’ but ties with India ‘at different level’: Bangladesh MoS Foreign Affairs

New Delhi: Bangladesh's Minister of State (MoS) for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has reaffirmed close ties with India, dismissing concerns of the Chinese trying to influence Dhaka that could impact ties with Delhi.&nbsp;

Speaking at Vivekananda Foundation virtually, Alam said, "(China) they know the Depth &amp; breadth of our relationship with India. The historic bondage. It is the bondage that delivered and the very creation and Independence of Bangladesh when the blood of soldiers of both the countries was shed that is inseparable and is not comparable with any relation, what so ever."

This year Bangladesh is celebrating 50th year of its independence and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Dhaka in March to take part in celebrations. Both sides have increased closeness, and working in a major way on the connectivity front, reviving pre-1965 rail and road links.

On ties with China and the belt and road initiative, he said, "Our relationship with Beijing is a matter of huge interest to India and everyone else....We see that (BRI) as an economic cooperation initiative and we have not committed to any defense or military initiatives and we haven't found any yet. We see many countries other countries in Europe even and neighborhood have joined.&nbsp;

He explained, engagement with Beijing has paid "some dividends" in recent times in times in "terms of infrastructure, building facilities that is helping our economic progressions" but "We are under no risk of a debt trap. Our economic fundamentals are strong...We know exactly what we doing."

China has been trying to increase its influence in South Asia. Pakistan has been key to China's BRI project in South Asia, with mega CPEC or China Pakistan Economic Corridor being heavily invested on by Beijing.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

New Delhi: Bangladesh's Minister of State (MoS) for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has reaffirmed close ties with India, dismissing concerns of the Chinese trying to influence Dhaka that could impact ties with Delhi.

New Delhi: Bangladesh's Minister of State (MoS) for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam has reaffirmed close ties with India, dismissing concerns of the Chinese trying to influence Dhaka that could impact ties with Delhi. Speaking at Vivekananda Foundation virtually, Alam said, "(China) they know the Depth & breadth of our relationship with India. The historic bondage. It is the bondage that delivered and the very creation and Independence of Bangladesh when the blood of soldiers of both the countries was shed that is inseparable and is not comparable with any relation, what so ever." This year Bangladesh is celebrating 50th year of its independence and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Dhaka in March to take part in celebrations. Both sides have increased closeness, and working in a major way on the connectivity front, reviving pre-1965 rail and road links. On ties with China and the belt and road initiative, he said, "Our relationship with Beijing is a matter of huge interest to India and everyone else....We see that (BRI) as an economic cooperation initiative and we have not committed to any defense or military initiatives and we haven't found any yet. We see many countries other countries in Europe even and neighborhood have joined. He explained, engagement with Beijing has paid "some dividends" in recent times in times in "terms of infrastructure, building facilities that is helping our economic progressions" but "We are under no risk of a debt trap. Our economic fundamentals are strong...We know exactly what we doing." China has been trying to increase its influence in South Asia. Pakistan has been key to China's BRI project in South Asia, with mega CPEC or China Pakistan Economic Corridor being heavily invested on by Beijing.

Bangladesh minister highlights close ties with Delhi; dismisses 'China concerns'

Bangladesh on Saturday rebuffed the "misleading" reports regarding the cancellation of the visit of State Minister for Foreign Affairs <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-deputy-foreign-minister-cancelled-his-india-visit-273654">Shariar Alam</a> to participate in the Raisina Dialogue to be held here.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said: "We have noticed few misleading news items published in different media regarding the supposed visit of State Minister for Foreign Affairs to participate in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/norways-pm-erna-solberg-to-visit-new-delhi-as-years-1st-foreign-leader-187985">Raisina Dialogue</a> in New Delhi organised by Overseas Research Foundation (ORF)."

The Ministry further clarified that Alam's visit coincides with his visit to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/uae-entities-to-invest-up-to-7-billion-in-india-uae-food-corridor-piyush-goyal-256334">UAE</a> to accompany the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

"Ministry would like to convey that State Minister Shahriar Alam was invited as a speaker in Raisina Dialogue, which coincides with his visit to UAE to accompany the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. As such State Minister Alam could not avail the participation," it stated.

Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry stated that a regret letter, in this regard, has already been sent to the ORF.

"It may be noted that there was no bilateral engagement scheduled during the visit. The inability of his participation has no other connection," it said.

Earlier in the day, diplomatic sources had said that Bangladesh Deputy Foreign Minister Shahriar Alam will not take part in the Raisina Dialogue 2020 slated to be held from January 14 to 16 in New Delhi.

Sources had said that Alam cancelled his participation in the conference as he would be accompanying Bangladeshi Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/grateful-to-india-for-its-role-in-liberation-war-bangladesh-prime-minister-sheikh-hasina-263955">Sheikh Hasina</a> on her visit to Abu Dhabi. 
The Raisina Dialogue is India's annual flagship platform on the geo-politics and geo-economics. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs.

Alam is the third Bangladesh leader from Dhaka in recent weeks to cancel a visit to India. Earlier, Bangladesh Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladesh-minister-has-given-explanation-for-cancelling-his-india-visit-mea-267936">A K Abdul Momen</a> and Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/home-minister-rajnath-singh-reaches-dhaka-hopes-to-strengthen-bilateral-relation-151531">Asaduzzaman Khan</a> had cancelled their scheduled visits to India.

After Momen cancelled his visit, the MEA had said that any speculation that the development was connected with the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill was "unwarranted."

Bangladesh on Saturday rebuffed the "misleading" reports regarding the cancellation of the visit of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shariar Alam to participate in the Raisina Dialogue to be held here.

Bangladesh on Saturday rebuffed the "misleading" reports regarding the cancellation of the visit of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shariar Alam to participate in the Raisina Dialogue to be held here. Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said: "We have noticed few misleading news items published in different media regarding the supposed visit of State Minister for Foreign Affairs to participate in Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi organised by Overseas Research Foundation (ORF)." The Ministry further clarified that Alam's visit coincides with his visit to the UAE to accompany the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. "Ministry would like to convey that State Minister Shahriar Alam was invited as a speaker in Raisina Dialogue, which coincides with his visit to UAE to accompany the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. As such State Minister Alam could not avail the participation," it stated. Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry stated that a regret letter, in this regard, has already been sent to the ORF. "It may be noted that there was no bilateral engagement scheduled during the visit. The inability of his participation has no other connection," it said. Earlier in the day, diplomatic sources had said that Bangladesh Deputy Foreign Minister Shahriar Alam will not take part in the Raisina Dialogue 2020 slated to be held from January 14 to 16 in New Delhi. Sources had said that Alam cancelled his participation in the conference as he would be accompanying Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her visit to Abu Dhabi. The Raisina Dialogue is India's annual flagship platform on the geo-politics and geo-economics. The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs. Alam is the third Bangladesh leader from Dhaka in recent weeks to cancel a visit to India. Earlier, Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan had cancelled their scheduled visits to India. After Momen cancelled his visit, the MEA had said that any speculation that the development was connected with the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill was "unwarranted."

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry rebuffs misleading reports regarding cancellation of Minister's participation in Raisina Dialogue

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Exclusive | China ‘a friend’ but ties with India ‘at different level’: Bangladesh MoS Foreign Affairs

Bangladesh minister highlights close ties with Delhi; dismisses 'China concerns'

Bangladesh Foreign Ministry rebuffs misleading reports regarding cancellation of Minister's participation in Raisina Dialogue