India desires positive, forward-looking ties with Bangladesh: Jaiswal

India on Tuesday reiterated its desire for a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh, stating readiness to address all bilateral issues through existing structured mechanisms.

"On the trajectory of the India-Bangladesh relationship, we have said this in the past as well, that India desires a positive, constructive and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

“And, we are ready to discuss all issues, bilateral issues, within the structured mechanisms that we have right now. So that is our intent," he said.

When asked regarding whether External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar would have a meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and other delegation members on the sidelines of the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York, Jaiswal noted that he currently lacks information.

"The question was whether the external affairs minister is going to have a meeting with the Bangladesh delegation at the UNGA. On that, I do not have any information, but I shall surely keep you updated if there are developments of this nature," he said. 

Meanwhile, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has held a series of meetings with Bangladeshi leadership this month.

Last week, he met Mahdi Amin, adviser to the Bangladesh prime minister, to discuss cooperation in education, technology, and innovation.

"The meeting highlighted the enduring bonds between India and Bangladesh, rooted in strong people-to-people ties," Trivedi.

He also met Bangladesh's Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat to discuss improving air connectivity and air cargo capacity, alongside Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee. 

He separately held talks with Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser for policy and strategy to Tarique Rahman.

"Both dignitaries expressed optimism that the two vibrant democracies will continue to work together to enhance people-to-people relations," the Indian High Commission said of the meeting with Zahed.