West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have always had good relations and often send each other gifts. Every year the Bangladesh prime minister sends mangoes to her 'younger sister' Mamata, and this year was no exception. The mangoes sent by Sheikh Hasina have already reached Mamata.

The handover was completed in the no-man's-land at the import-export gate of the Benapole-Petrapole port at 12 noon on Monday, 12 June. Kawsar Sarwar, administrative officer (accounts) of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, received the mango truck from Benapole port, and the consignment was then handed to Indian representatives. From there it travelled via Haridaspur to the chief minister's home in Kalighat.

The two leaders leave no doubt that their relationship is above politics, and have spoken of their affection for each other at various events. Every year Sheikh Hasina sends Mamata gifts including mangoes and hilsa, and the West Bengal chief minister sends saris to the Bangladesh prime minister at festivals.

This year Sheikh Hasina sent 600 kg of sweet mangoes to Mamata. A total of 1,200 kg of mangoes in 240 cartons was sent to West Bengal on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Half went to the chief minister's home; the rest were given to various dignitaries in Kolkata and to diplomats, officials and staff of the deputy high commission.

The Bangladesh prime minister has also sent mangoes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Political analysts believe such exchanges of gifts will further strengthen relations between the two countries.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.