Indian Foreign Secretary Shringla arrives in Dhaka

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30am.

"He arrived in a special Indian flight," the airport director Group Captain Touhid-ul Ahsan confirmed to The Daily Star.

According to reports, a diplomatic source indicated that the Indian foreign secretary is likely to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, among others, and discuss ways to strengthen the bond between the two countries.

Shringla will also convey Delhi's special message to Dhaka, according to the source.

He will leave Dhaka for home the same day, wrapping up his brief visit.

India recently described its relations with Bangladesh as "exceptionally close" but expressed displeasure over a "mischievous" story pertaining to Bangladesh-India ties.

"We're confident that both sides appreciate mutual sensitivity and mutual respect building further on the relationship," said Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson of the Indian external affairs ministry at a virtual weekly media briefing in New Delhi.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen recently termed Bangladesh-India relations as "blood ties".