New Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma on Tuesday said that
New Delhi is ‘delighted’ to see that Bangladesh has joined the G-20 meetings as a Guest Country.
“As India has assumed the presidency of G-20 this month, we are delighted that at our invitation, Bangladesh has joined these deliberations as a Guest Country, to make valuable contributions with its own experience – to advance the global efforts for collective well-being during these challenging times,” he said, adding that both countries are working “closely together” at the international arena. He was addressing the ‘Maitri Diwas’ celebration event organised by the Indian High Commission at the Kurmitola Golf Club, Dhaka Cantonment. Liberation Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque was also present.
The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.
It comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, USA and the European Union (EU).
Collectively, the G20 accounts for 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of international trade and two-thirds of the world population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation.
India assumed the Presidency of the G20 on December 1 for one year. Under its Presidency, India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country.
The G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State and Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 next year in New Delhi.
As the President, India has invited Bangladesh as a ‘Guest Country’ along with Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India and Bangladesh, last year, decided to celebrate December 6, the day on which India formally recognised Bangladesh, as 'Maitri Diwas'. It is a particularly special date, as this recognition came ten days before the actual victory on December 16 in 1971.
The High Commissioner highlighted the “multifaceted” bilateral ties and said there is a “great degree of commitment from the leaders of our two countries to take our ties to newer heights.”
“India attaches top priority to its relations with Bangladesh. For us it is “neighbourhood first”; but in the neighbourhood too, it is ‘Bangladesh first’,” he said.
“Our friendship is rooted in the shared sacrifices of the Liberation War and guided by the values, ideals and the visions espoused by Bangabandhu,” he said, referring to Bangladesh’s founding father
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
