Syeda Rizwana Hassan, the advisor to the Ministry of Forests and Climate Change, announced that India will take steps to extend visas for Bangladeshis. She made this statement during a press conference held on the evening of December 9, in front of the Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka.

Hassan shared that India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, had assured that India would take initiatives to extend the visa facilities for Bangladeshi citizens. The move aims to make travel between the two nations more accessible, promoting better bilateral relations.

During the briefing, Hassan also discussed concerns raised by Bangladesh regarding the ongoing propaganda against the country. She stated that the Bangladeshi government had expressed its concerns over the negative portrayals and misleading information being spread about Bangladesh. In response, India’s Foreign Secretary clarified that the Indian government was not responsible for such propaganda, attributing it instead to the activities of various groups and organizations.

Hassan also touched upon the provocative statements and remarks made by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina while she was in India. The Bangladeshi government had expressed its concerns about these statements, with Hassan mentioning that India had shown a willingness to strengthen bilateral relations despite these challenges.

During a separate briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen conveyed Bangladesh's dissatisfaction with certain remarks made by Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India. He emphasized that Bangladesh was not in favor of the tone and content of the statements made during her time in India.

In response, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri assured that Sheikh Hasina’s remarks should not serve as an obstacle to the good relations between the two neighboring countries. Misri emphasized that the strong ties between India and Bangladesh should be unaffected by the statements made by any individual.

The development highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance diplomatic relations and address sensitive issues between the two nations. Both sides have expressed interest in promoting cooperation, especially in areas such as trade, security, and cultural exchange, despite occasional differences in political discourse.