H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and H.E. First Lady Fazna Ahmed on Thursday evening hosted a state banquet in honour of H.E. Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and her delegation. The banquet was held in Kurumba Maldives.
Speaking at the event, President Solih emphasised the long history of cooperation, commerce, and friendship between the two countries. Accentuating the numerous high-level visits and engagements, he said that previous commitments between the two countries have been strengthened, and new ways to increase cooperation have been found. During the Prime Minister's visit, the Maldives and Bangladesh exchanged several memoranda of understanding in the areas of finance, health, and youth and sports cooperation. 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 the life and legacy of a man whose very name means "Friend of Bengal." He went on to praise Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for following in her father's footsteps and continuing her father's legacy.
In her speech, Prime Minister Sheikh 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 our 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 we must work together to come out of poverty.
The banquet was attended by H.E. Vice President Faisal Naseem and his spouse, H.E. Aishath Shamsadha, Speaker of Parliament, H.E. former President Mohamed Nasheed, Chief Justice H.E. Uz Ahmed Muthasim Adnan, members of the Cabinet, and high-level delegates. A delegation of senior government representatives accompanies the Prime Minister on this visit. The banquet marked the conclusion of the official programme of the Prime Minister’s visit to the Maldives.
