Modi accepts Hasina's invitation to visit Bangladesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's invitation to visit Dhaka, a statement from his office said Thursday.

In a letter handed over to the Bangladesh prime minister by visiting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Modi also has extended an invitation to Sheikh Hasina to visit India at her earliest convenience.

The Bangladesh prime minister invited Modi soon after he became the prime minister designate, following his Bharatiya Janata Party's thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls.

The statement said Modi thanked Hasina for her letter of felicitation on his assumption of office.

Stating that well-being of every nation is linked to its neighbourhood, Modi said he places special emphasis on India's engagement with its neighbours.

"I sincerely hope we can all work together to foster a new era of cooperation and connectivity across the South Asian region, which will ignite our collective surge to prosperity," he wrote.

Modi has emphasized that for India, Bangladesh is "not merely a neighbour, but a nation with which we share history, culture, civilization, and enduring links between people".

"The ideals of democracy, secularism, pluralism and rule of law also serve as a link between India and Bangladesh," he said in his letter.

"My government will apply itself to further accelerating our engagement and strengthening the framework of our relationships," he assured Sheikh Hasina.