Mango diplomacy: Bangladesh PM gifts mangoes to PM Modi, Bengal CM Banerjee
Story highlights
The annual diplomatic gesture from PM Hasina first came into prominence in the 1990s when she gifted the famous hilsa fish to prominent Indian leaders. These included Jyoti Basu who was then Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sent 600 kg of mangoes as a gift to chief minister of Indian state West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, said officials in High Commission of Bangladesh, reported Press Trust of India. Reports in other Indian media outlets said that in addition to West Bengal CM, the mangoes were also sent to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. West Bengal CM had sent mangoes to PM Hasina six days ago.
A press note from the High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata said that the mangoes were handpicked specially for the Indian side from the orchards of Rajshahi region which is famous for its delicious crop.
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"Mangoes comprising the 'Himsagar' and 'Langra' variants have been sent to Banerjee, as part of diplomatic efforts. Last year, too, we had sent mangoes," an official in the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission said as quoted by PTI.
The annual diplomatic gesture from PM Hasina first came into prominence in the 1990s when she gifted the famous 'hilsa' fish to prominent Indian leaders. These included then Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu.
PM Hasina is expected to visit India for G20 Summit.
The mango diplomacy
Gifting mangoes may appear odd to the uninitiated but this convention has been part of diplomacy between countries in the region.
India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had gifted mangoes to China's Mao Zedong.
The mango diplomacy has been also observed in domestic politics of India. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has in past gifted Himsagar mangoes to her political opponents to cool the tempers. 'Himsagar' aptly means 'an ocean of soothing ice'.
Six days ago, Banerjee has sent mangoes to Indian PM, president and the Bangladesh PM.
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had sent mangoes in 2021 as well. At that time Bangladeshi trucks containing 2600 kg of 'Haribhanga' mangoes had entered India.
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