SYLHET, Oct 5, 2023 (BSS) - Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury today said that the destiny of Bangladesh and India is intertwined and stability and prosperity of the both nations are inextricably linked with each other. 

She was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 11th round of the Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue in the eastern divisional city of Sylhet. 

The Speaker extended thanks to India for including Bangladesh in the G20 process and appreciated India for arranging P20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit. 

She emphasized on ensuring more engagement of the parliaments of the two countries, collaboration and engagement of women lawmakers and cooperation in ICT sector to face the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. 

Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen chaired the function as Awami League Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanok, Indian MP Vincent Pala, Indian former MP Swapan Dasgupta and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma also joined it.

In his remarks, Bangladesh foreign minister highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. 

Momen said a fast-developing Bangladesh offers both the countries with opportunities to further deepen its economic benefits. 

He stressed on five key areas like exploring ways to enhance bilateral trade, improved connectivity, sub-regional cooperation in energy sector, cooperation in water sector and people-to-people contact to further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two next-door neighbors. 

He also said that partnering of these two neighbors is important for bringing shared peace and prosperity in the South Asian region.

With the theme, "Fostering a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership", this year's two-day dialogue is expected to hold few thematic sessions. 

For last 10 years the Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue has been serving as one of the instrumental platforms for fostering strong bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India. 

The dialogue will have thematic sessions on issues on Connectivity for Trade and People-to-People Connections, Technology Collaboration and Innovation, Investment for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth tomorrow. 

Bangladesh foreign minister will also inaugurate the 2nd round of Sylhet-Silchar Festival slated for October 6 to 8.

The festival aims to promote cultural ties and people-to-people contact linking the two neighboring cities-Sylhet and Silchar.