Hasina was invited to attend the Girl Summit in London to be held on July 22
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her British counterpart David Cameron are likely to discuss issues relating to democracy and governance, trade, aid and the diaspora during their bilateral talks in London.
“The prime minister is going to London on July 21 at the invitation of her British counterpart and they will have a bilateral meeting,” a senior official of the Foreign Ministry told the Dhaka Tribune.
Hasina was invited to attend the Girl Summit in London to be held on July 22.
The British government has its own understanding about democracy and governance and Cameron might raise the issue during the bilateral talks, the official said.
Bangladesh and Britain have robust trade relationship under which Dhaka exports huge amount of readymade garment to the British market, he said.
“Britain also provides a good amount of grant which helps the government achieve different social targets,” he added.
About half a million Bangladeshi diaspora are now living in England and Bangladesh will raise the issue of their welfare in the European country, the official said.
The invitation of David Cameron is considered significant as the British government along with other governments of western countries criticised the government for their one-sided election on January 5. Hasina will also have meetings with several members of parliament and the diaspora community.
She has already made visit to Japan and China and attended BIMSTEC summit meeting in Myanmar. She is also invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit New Delhi.
The UK will host the first Girl Summit on July 22 aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) within a generation. UNICEF will co-host the event.
Girls and women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination and achieve their potential, but millions are being prevented from doing so by harmful practices such as FGM and CEFM, which are illegal in the UK.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
