Bangladesh, Indian foreign ministers exchange greetings at ASEAN Regional Forum

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, where the two leaders exchanged greetings.

"Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dr Khalilur Rahman and India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar greeted each other in Manila on the margins of the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting," a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said.

Jaishankar also held a separate meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath during the ARF gathering in the Philippine capital.

A day earlier, Dr Khalilur held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the United States, Russia, China and Pakistan on the sidelines of the ARF meeting, underscoring Bangladesh's efforts to deepen ties with key global partners.

According to a diplomatic source, the discussions focused on issues of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, trade, investment and broader regional and international matters.

Dr Khalilur is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting and events marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.