Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has formally sought India's support for Bangladesh's bid to join the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) economic bloc.
This request was made during a bilateral meeting with S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, on the sidelines of the 2nd BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' Retreat held on 11 July.
The meeting, which took place in New Delhi, began with Hasan Mahmud congratulating Jaishankar on his reappointment as the External Affairs Minister of India.
Following this, the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister addressed several key issues, emphasising the need for India's support in ensuring a stable supply of essential commodities, including onions, to Bangladesh.
Hasan expressed gratitude for India's ongoing cooperation in the power and energy sectors, specifically acknowledging India's decision to facilitate the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh via the Indian grid.
A significant portion of the discussion centred on environmental concerns, with Hasan proposing the dispatch of a technical team to assist in the conservation and management of the Teesta River, a crucial water resource for both nations.
Highlighting Bangladesh's strategic aspirations, Hasan made a direct appeal for India's endorsement of Bangladesh's candidacy for BRICS membership, seeking to bolster the country's international economic alliances.
Additionally, he extended an invitation to Jaishankar to attend the forthcoming Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting in Bangladesh.
The JCC serves as a bilateral platform to address a broad spectrum of issues affecting the two neighbouring countries.
