Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Bangladesh has urged India to restore normal issuance of visas for Bangladeshi citizens, foreign minister Khalilur Rahman told Parliament on Tuesday.
“It is hoped that positive changes will be seen in this regard soon,” he said while replying to a query from MP Sk Mozibur Rahman Iqbal in the Jatiya Sangsad. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad tabled the question and reply at the start of proceedings.
Replying to a question on ties with India and whether tourist and business visas had been halted for Bangladeshis, Khalilur said bilateral relations were rooted in “strong solidarity” built on common values, historical links and close people-to-people ties.
He said that since assuming office, the government had taken steps to advance ties with India on the basis of sovereign equality, fairness, mutual respect, trust and national interest.
The minister said he had recently visited India on a goodwill trip and held talks with the Indian external affairs minister, petroleum and natural gas minister, and the national security adviser.
“India has been urged to normalise the issuance of visas for Bangladeshi citizens. It is hoped that positive changes will be seen in this regard soon,” he said.