Bangladesh President Hamid meets Sushma Swaraj

New Delhi, Dec. 19 (ANI): Visiting Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, who is on a six-day official trip to India, on Friday met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The two leaders shook hands and are believed to have held bilateral discussions pertaining to the mutual interest of both nations. The Bangladesh President has arrived in India at the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee. This is the first visit by a ceremonial Head of State of Bangladesh since 1972. President Hamid, who will be a guest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during his stay in India, was received on his arrival by Minister of State for External Affairs, General (retired) VK Singh, among other dignitaries. Besides his meeting with Swaraj, President Hamid is scheduled to meet President Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other senior leaders. He is also scheduled to visit places of historical and cultural importance both in and outside the national capital. President Mukherjee had paid a state visit to Bangladesh in March 2013. The Bangladeshi President's visit will contribute to further strengthening and expanding the close bilateral relations between the two countries. (ANI)