بســم اللّـه الرّحمـن الرّحيــم

Your Excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh,

Honorable Ministers,

Members of the Bangladeshi delegation,

Distinguished guests,

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ

And good evening,

Let me begin tonight by extending a warm welcome to Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina and the entire Bangladeshi delegation on behalf of myself and First Lady Fazna. We are delighted to have you here.

I hope that your visit proves to be fruitful and that you get a moment to enjoy Maldives’ esteemed natural beauty and our award-winning hospitality.

Excellencies and distinguished guests,

The Maldives and Bangladesh have had a long history of cooperation, commerce, and friendship. Throughout the years, our bond has only grown stronger. Just this year alone, we have had numerous high-level visits before this one.

Through these engagements, we have strengthened previous commitments, and found new ways to increase mutual cooperation.

Just today, we exchanged several memoranda of understanding in areas of finance, health and, youth and sports cooperation between our two countries.

Our relationship goes beyond just interactions at the diplomatic level. The people-to-people connection between our two nations is one of the strongest in the region. Many Maldivians have made a home in Bangladesh. Maldivian students make use of your higher education system, especially in the field of health.

Similarly, many Bangladeshis have made homes in the Maldives. Bangladeshi doctors have treated many Maldivian patients, Bangladeshi teachers have taught countless Maldivian students and Bangladeshi construction workers have helped shape the skyline of the Maldives.

The contribution made by Bangladeshi expatriate workers to the Maldives is truly immeasurable.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentleman,

I am deeply honored that this visit has occurred on the same month as Bangladesh’s golden jubilee of its independence.

Greetings from the people of the Maldives to the people of Bangladesh on this momentous celebration.

Earlier this year, I had the distinct honor of visiting Bangladesh for the birth centenary celebrations of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

I was deeply touched as we celebrated the life and legacy of a man whose very name means “Friend of Bengal.”

Excellency,

As we celebrate your presence here today, I cannot help but think of how your father’s legacy continues to live on. Not only are you a friend of Bangladesh, but you are a friend to the Maldives.

মাননীয় প্রধানমন্ত্রী, আপনি মালদ্বীপের ঘনিষ্ঠ এবং প্রিয় বন্ধু
[Translation: Honorable Prime Minister, you are a close and dear friend of the Maldives]

Thank you, Excellency, for accepting our invitation to visit our country, and for gracing this banquet with your presence. May our nations continue to build upon our strong relationship and prosper together as close friends for years to come.

Thank you.