Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at the Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka on Friday.
Swaraj, who is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh, and Begum Khaleda Zia reportedly reviewed bilateral ties between the two countries, and also discussed issues of regional and global importance of mutual interest to the two nations.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, Swaraj said that India will continue to strengthen the relationship between the people of the two countries.
"India wants to continue its strong relationship with the people of Bangladesh. It also wants people to people contact, which was the aim of SAARC, instead of any certain political party," BNP vice-chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury told reporters.
Abdul Moeen Khan, a standing committee member of BNP, said both leaders underscored the need for boosting democratic practices in the south Asian countries during the meeting.
"Development is obstructed if the continuation of democracy is halted. Democratic practices in Bangladesh will have to be strengthened in the interest of its overall development," Moeen quoted Khaleda Zia, as saying during her meeting with Swaraj and the Indian delegation.
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Mobin said talks over a dialogue or immediate general election did not take place during the meeting.
Swaraj also made a courtesy call on Roushan Ershad, the leader of the opposition, at her parliament office around 11:55 a.m.
"It was just a courtesy call. We have discussed several bilateral issues, including development in the power sector," Raushan told reporters after the meeting.
Earlier, Swaraj visited Dhakeshwari Mandir, the historic temple of the Hindu community, in Dhaka, and exchanged views with the devotees there.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's younger sister Sheikh Rehana and her daughter Saima Wazed Putul also met Swaraj there.
The PM's Economic Affairs Adviser Mushiur Rahman and International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi also called on Swaraj at the hotel.
Wrapping up her three-day official visit, Swaraj left Dhaka for Delhi in the afternoon.