Sushma Swaraj due June 25

Sushma Swaraj. Star file photo

In her first stand-alone trip abroad since assuming charge more than three weeks ago, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will pay a goodwill visit to Bangladesh from June 25 to 27.

Announcing the visit, the ministry said in a statement that Swaraj will hold discussions on bilateral issues with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

During her stay in Dhaka, she will call on President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Swaraj, who visits Bangladesh at the invitation of her Bangladeshi counterpart, will also have engagement with think-tanks, chambers of commerce and industry and cultural organisations, the statement added.

"This is Swaraj’s first stand-alone visit abroad as the external affairs minister and reflects the importance that India attaches to its bilateral relationship with Bangladesh, a close friend and neighbour," it said adding: "The visit will provide further momentum to the close and friendly relationship between India and Bangladesh."