India, China and Russia congratulate PM Hasina on election victory, promise continued support
Four other countries - Bhutan, Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka - also congratulated the prime minister
India, Russia, China, Bhutan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka on Monday (8 January) congratulated Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her party's victory in the national elections.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X said he spoke to Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her on her victory for a historic fourth consecutive term in the national elections.
Countries that were fast to congratulate the day after the Awami League's election victory include Bangladesh's two major import sources – China and India, which are also sources of funds for major infrastructures. Russia, on the other hand, is financing the country's lone nuclear power project, which is expected to come into commercial generation partly at the end of 2024.
Till Monday (8 January), there was no feedback on the election from the West, the largest destination of Bangladesh's exports and also source of financial, technical and humanitarian assistance.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections," Indian PM Modi writes in his post on X, formerly Twitter.
The Indian PM said, "We are committed to further strengthen our enduring and people-centric partnership with Bangladesh."
In a congratulatory letter sent on Monday, Modi also expressed confidence that as Prime Minister Hasina prepares to lead her country for a fourth consecutive term, the historic and close ties between Bangladesh and India will continue to deepen in all areas of their irreversible partnership.
He affirmed that as a close friend and trusted development partner of Bangladesh, India will continue to support Bangladesh's aspirations and growth.
The ambassadors of India, Russia, China, Bhutan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh paid courtesy calls on Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Monday. A delegation of Aga Khan Diplomatic Representative also met the PM.
They expressed their firm commitment to continue cooperation with Bangladesh. The PM thanked them and sought their cooperation in the development and progress of Bangladesh.
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma conveyed India government and Narendra Modi's warm greetings and congratulations to Sheikh Hasina.
He expressed hope that during the new term of her government, there will be even stronger momentum and growth in the bilateral partnership in support of each other's national development.
Verma noted that India will continue to support the people of Bangladesh in realising their vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous nation, guided by their long-standing friendship and inspired by their shared sacrifices of the Liberation War.
Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Yao Wen conveyed warm congratulations and best wishes from Chinese leaders to PM Sheikh Hasina.
The Chinese ambassador committed to working with her to carry forward the long-established friendship, enhance mutual trust, and deepen practical cooperation – thereby uplift the China-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership of Cooperation to a new height.
Ambassador Yao noted that both China and Bangladesh are at a critical stage of development and revitalisation, and China would always be the most trustworthy partner and the most reliable friend of Bangladesh on the way to modernisation.
Under the guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Sheikh Hasina, China and Bangladesh have set a model of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
China will firmly support Bangladesh in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and in opposing external interference, it said.
Ambassador Yao said China is prepared to strengthen all-round cooperation with Bangladesh, and take due actions to facilitate and expand trade and investment with Bangladesh, promote high-quality China-Bangladesh Belt and Road cooperation, and make its own contribution to realising "Smart Bangladesh".
Meanwhile, in letter on the day, Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuck stated, "Under the dynamic and strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has enjoyed peace, stability and unprecedented economic development and Bhutan as a close friend, rejoices with the people of Bangladesh, on this occasion.
