Dhaka: Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has congratulated newly appointed British Prime Minister Theresa May and invited her to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.  

‘It’s more heartening for me to see you leading the United Kingdom,’ the Prime Minister said in a message to Theresa May on Thursday.

Prime Minister Hasina said there is a scope for further development in Bangladesh-UK relations through trade, investment, education and knowledge-sharing. ‘I’m confident that your visit would infuse further impetus to our relations and take them to a greater height.’  

She said her British counterpart, if she visits Bangladesh, would be able to see for herself the overall progress made by Bangladesh, particularly through mainstreaming and empowering women.  

The prime minister extended her heartiest felicitations on Theresa May’s appointment as the Prime Minister of the UK and the Northern Ireland which she considers as most deserving election as the leader of the Conservative Party.

Sheikh Hasina said the relations between Bangladesh and the UK have been mature, strong, enduring. ‘These are based on shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights, rule of law, secularism as well as on common and mutually beneficial interests.’

Bangladesh is proud of the presence and contribution of its vibrant community in the United Kingdom, said the Prime Minister adding that they have further strengthened the ties between the two countries.  

The premier said that she is happy to note that Bangladesh and the UK are working in partnership for strengthen the democratic ethos, empowering the vulnerable, countering terrorism, addressing the impacts of climate change among other global challenges of their time.

‘I firmly believe that under you able and dynamic leadership, the existing excellent relations between our two friendly countries would continue to grow with fresh initiatives exploring new areas of cooperation and thereby achieving stronger partnership in the days ahead,’ she said.

The Prime Minister wished her British counterpart and her family good health, long life and happiness; and the warm, friendly people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and the Northern Ireland, peace, progress and prosperity.