DHAKA, Oct 8, 2020 (BSS) – India’s new high commissioner in Dhaka Vikram Kumar Doraiswami today said New Delhi entrusted him with an assignment to nurture bilateral ties with Bangladesh and he would put his best efforts to carry out the mission.
“My colleagues and I will spare no effort to promote this partnership at all levels . . . My government has ordered me to do exactly that,” the envoy said in his first media appearance after reaching Dhaka by road through eastern Akhaura frontier.
Doraiswami said even the closest of relationships need to be nurtured while “fraternal ties with Bangladesh is one of our highest priorities”.
The envoy’s press briefing at his official India Bhaban residence came shortly after he presented credentials to Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.
He said Bangladesh-India ties “goes beyond even strategic partnerships” as it was based on shared sacrifice, history and culture, and on the uniquely close ties of kinship.
Doraiswami said the mandate which he secured “reflected the approach of our Government, where fraternal ties with Bangladesh is one of our highest priorities”.
“Let me stress that Bangladesh is, was and will always be a very special partner of India,” he said, adding, “There is not, and will never be, a diminution of the highest level of importance that Bangladesh holds in India”.
The new envoy said that New Delhi would work at a pace ensuring fullest respect for Dhaka’s priorities and in a manner with which Bangladesh people are comfortable.
“We do our best to live up to the expectations of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
As the two countries move towards the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Liberation, the High Commissioner said he is certain the leaders will continue to increase their expectations for their relationship.
“It will always be our abiding honour to have offered you our support, just as we in India offer your bravery our respectful salute, nearly fifty years later,” he said.
Doraiswami said Bangladesh is respected for the remarkable improvements it has recorded in social indices and achieved sustained economic growth at the fastest pace in the South Asia under the statesmanship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“And we, as your closest neighbours, rejoice in this well-deserved recognition,” he added.
He reiterated India’s commitment over building fastest possible partnership with Bangladesh of all aspect of potential COVID-19 vaccine, putting maximum efforts in eliminating border killing and finding mutually acceptable solutions to all pending issues with Dhaka.
The High commissioner said India is committed to work jointly to tackle COVID-19 and in that context New Delhi will resume air connectivity with Dhaka on a special “Air Bubble” arrangement very soon.
In recognition of the special commemorative years-Mujib Year, the Golden Jubilee of Liberation, and the 50th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic ties, the new envoy said he has decided to begin his service to this partnership by paying homage to the heroes and
giants who brought us to this point in our history.
“I offered my humble and heartfelt tribute to the luminous leadership of Bangabandhu, visiting the deeply moving museum to his memory at Dhanmondi directly on arrival from the land border at Akhaura … and I am going tomorrow to Sawar to pay respects to the
all the Martyrs to the cause of Bangladesh,” he said.
Doraiswami who replaced Riva Ganguly Das, joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992 and now serving as additional secretary of External Affairs Ministry of India.
He was earlier India’s ambassador to South Korea and also joint secretary of the Americas division in the External Affairs Ministry from 2012-2014.