Act East Policy starts with Bangladesh: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told visiting Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid that India is willing to be catalytic agent to boost co-operation in the region, adding that New Delhi's Act East Policy starts with Dhaka. The two leaders met at the Hyderabad House here.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told visiting Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid that India is willing to be catalytic agent to boost co-operation in the region, adding that New Delhi's Act East Policy starts with Dhaka. The two leaders met at the Hyderabad House here.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin took to twitter to share the discussions between Prime Minister Modi and President Hamid.

"Act East Policy starts with Bangladesh. India ready to work on mutually beneficial projects - PM @narendramodi," Akbaruddin wrote.

"India willing to be catalytic agent to boost regional cooperation - PM @narendramodi to Prez of Bangladesh," he added.

Akbaruddin also shared information about the two leaders recollecting the joint endeavours of both nations during Bangladesh's liberation struggle in 1971.

Earlier in the day, President Hamid who is on a six-day official trip to India, met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The Bangladesh President, who travelled to India at the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee, is the first ceremonial Head of State of Bangladesh to make the trip since 1972.

President Hamid, who will be a guest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during his stay in India, was received on his arrival by Minister of State for External Affairs General (retired) VK Singh, among other dignitaries.

Besides his meeting with Prime Minister Modi and Swaraj, President Hamid is scheduled to meet President Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, and other senior leaders.

The Bangladesh i President's visit will contribute to further strengthening and expanding the close bilateral relations between the two countries.

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.