President Solih meets Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has met with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina during an official state visit to Bangladesh. 

President Solih arrived in Bangladesh yesterday after concluding a state visit to Qatar and was accompanied by a number of high-level state officials from the Maldives as well as First Lady Fazna Ahmed. 

According to the President's Office, during this meeting, President Solih and the Bangladesh PM held bilateral talks. Lauding the outstanding diplomatic relations that characterize the two countries’ bilateral relationship, President Solih also noted the long-standing historical and cultural ties that bind Bangladesh and the Maldives. He also expressed his confidence that his current visit to Bangladesh will help elevate that relationship to new heights.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also stated that the Maldives is a trusted partner and friend to Bangladesh. She also announced that Biman Airlines flights to the Maldives would begin soon, increasing air connectivity between the two nations.

President Solih also affirmed that the Maldives is committed to resolving the problems faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Maldives and reiterated the government’s pledge to uphold and protect migrant workers' rights, according to the President's Office.

Both leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation in various areas, including trade, health, higher education, human resource development, cultural cooperation, regional governance, fisheries, agriculture, tourism, and international cooperation.

During President Solih's visit, the Maldives and Bangladesh also signed four important Memorandums of Understanding as well. 

The MoUs signed are:

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the Establishment of the Maldives-Bangladesh Joint Commission on Comprehensive Cooperation.

The agreement was signed by the Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen. The MoU aims to create a joint commission to focus on substantive cooperation in a multitude of settings.

MoU between the Government of the Republic of Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultations.

The agreement was signed by the Maldivian Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen. The MoU seeks to strengthen the current bilateral relationship and pave the way for comprehensive and productive dialogue.

MoU between the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture of the Republic of the Maldives and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on the Establishment of the field of Fisheries and Pelagic Fishing.

The MoU was signed by the Maldivian Minister of Economic Development, Uz Fayyaz Ismail, and Bangladeshi Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, S.M. Rezaul Karim. The MoU aims to improve the two countries’ relationship in fisheries and open up a channel for productive dialogue in this area.

MoU between the Government of the Republic of the Maldives and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the Establishment of Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2022-2025.

The agreement was signed by Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid and Bangladeshi State Minister of Cultural Affairs K.M. Khalid.

President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina both noted the agreement of four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to be signed by both nations.

Before the bilateral talks, President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a one-to-one meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office. The President's Office said that President Solih, during his meeting with the PM, shared his best wishes to all Bangladeshis as the country commemorates the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding father. He also warmly congratulated them on the country’s golden jubilee of independence.