India and China today invited Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman to pay official visits to the countries at mutually convenient times.

The envoys of China and India extended the invitations on behalf of their respective foreign ministers during separate meetings with the foreign minister of Bangladesh at the foreign ministry.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma extended to Khalilur an invitation from Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to undertake an official visit to New Delhi at an early date.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed an invitation from the Chinese foreign minister for Khalilur to undertake an official visit to China at a mutually convenient time.

The envoys congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a decisive victory in the general elections, which they termed as one of the most free and fair elections in the country's history.

They also felicitated Khalilur on his assumption of the office of the foreign minister.

The Chinese ambassador conveyed China's firm support for PM Tarique Rahman's 'Bangladesh First' policy.

He said the Chinese premier intends to work closely with the Bangladeshi prime minister to further deepen bilateral cooperation.

Khalilur underscored the importance of advancing the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

He also called for enhanced Chinese engagement with all relevant stakeholders for the early repatriation of Rohingyas.

The Indian high commissioner expressed his government's readiness to work closely with the new government of Bangladesh to further advance bilateral cooperation.