Dhaka: The Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla meets Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in her office at Gulshan in Dhaka on Tuesday night.

Harsh Vardhan assures Khaleda about India’s position against all forms of extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh.

The meeting that began at the BNP chairperson’s office at 8:10 pm last for one hour and 20 minutes.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, BNP chairperson’s adviser Sabih Uddin Ahmed said it was a courtesy call. ‘Issues relating to bilateral interests were discussed at the meeting,’ he said.

He, however, parried a question whether the country’s latest political situation, and terrorism and militancy were discussed at the meeting, reports UNB.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, were, among others, present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, a BNP leader who was present at the meeting said issues relating to mutual interests of the two nations and Bangladesh’s current situation and militancy and terrorism problem came up for discussions at the meeting.

Besides, he said, the BNP chief made clear her party’s stance over India and sent out a message that her party wants India to build relations with the country’s people instead of only one party to make the ties between the two close neighbours sustainable.

Harsh informed Khaleda that India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and there can be no justification for senseless acts of violence.

The HC apprises Khaleda of of recent developments in bilateral cooperation, said a press release issued by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka following the meeting.

High Commissioner highlighted the focus on development of infrastructure and improving connectivity to facilitate bilateral trade and economic ties, with, more people-to-people contacts, the release added.