President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated previous commitments have been strengthened and new ways to increase cooperation have been found with Bangladesh.
The president made the remarks at the state banquet hosted in honour of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed hosted the state banquet in Kurumba Maldives in honour of Prime Minister Hasina and her delegation.
Speaking at the event, President Solih emphasised the long history of cooperation, commerce, and friendship between the two countries. The president went on to say that the Maldives-Bangladesh relationship goes beyond interactions at the diplomatic level and that our people-to-people connection is one of the strongest in the region.
Recalling his visit earlier this year to Bangladesh to partake in the commemoration of the birth centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the president highlighted that it was a distinct honour to celebrate life and legacy of a man whose very name means Friend of Bengal. He went on to praise Prime Minister Hasina for following in her father's footsteps and continuing her father's legacy.
In her speech, Prime Minister Hasina emphasised that Bangladesh and the Maldives share religious and cultural values, as well as affinity and are on the same developmental path. She noted that an example could be set from bilateral relations during the pandemic and grow further to enhance trade, investments, connectivity and people-to-people contact.
The prime minister further stated that the main focus in the region should be the development of the people and that our shared enemy is poverty. Stating that Bangladesh's foreign policy is based on friendship to all and malice to none, she said that it is crucial to work together to come out of poverty.
The banquet was attended by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, members of the cabinet, and high-level delegates.
The banquet marked the conclusion of the official programme of the prime minister's visit to the Maldives. During the visit, the Maldives and Bangladesh exchanged several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in the areas of finance, health, and youth and sports cooperation.