Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: The newly appointed High Commissioner of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh, E.M.D. Shameem Ahsan has commended Nigeria’s growing relations with his country , assuring that he will support efforts for a deeper and richer relationship. The Envoy gave the assurance Thursday, when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari to submit copies of his credentials along side two other Ambassadors at the presidential villa, in Abuja. The High Commissioner who extended an Executive Visit invitation to President Buhari that will be reciprocated by his Prime Minister said, his country’s population of 160 million people had largely remained “self-sufficient’’ in feeding, adding that the experience on self-reliance on agriculture can be shared with Nigeria.The High Commissioner mentioned the visit of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Nigeria in 2010 at D-8 Summit. Mr. Ahsan drew the attention of the President about opening a resident Nigerian Mission in Dhaka which remains under its consideration. High Commissioner Ahsan thanked the Nigerian government for its constructive role on Rohingya issue especially at the UN.
Ahsan briefed President Buhari about the tremendous successes achieved at home and abroad under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. President Muhammadu Buhari who warmly welcomed and congratulated the new High Commissioner of Bangladesh assured of an all-out support during his tour of duty. Mr. President who was thrilled by Bangladesh success story highly appreciated the generosity of the Hon’ble Prime Minister in hosting 1.1 million forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals. The President felt encouraged to learn that Bangladesh, despite its small geographic size and with a population of 160 million people, is already self-sufficient in food production. Both governments noted that there are huge potentials to expand bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and underlined exchange of high level visits. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Mrs. Pandora Chowdhury, wife of the High Commissioner were also present during the meeting. A career diplomat, Mr. Ahsan served as the Consul General of Bangladesh in New York before his first Ambassadorial assignment in Nigeria. Earlier, he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC and at Bangladesh Missions in Rome, Nairobi, Doha and Kuwait in various capacities. He also served as Director General (External Publicity) and (Europe) and held important positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka. Mr. Ahsan has written two books on diplomacy & international relations and contributed a good number of articles on various issues at home & abroad.
