Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Monday urged Canadian authorities to expedite visa processing for Bangladesh nationals, with a particular emphasis on student visas.

He made the urge when newly-appointed High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Ajit Singh paid a courtesy call on him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.

The foreign adviser welcomed and congratulated Ajit Singh on his appointment as the high commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh.

They had elaborate discussions on key issues, including agricultural cooperation, trade and investment, the financial sector, and the Rohingya crisis.

Touhid mentioned the daunting challenges faced by Bangladesh in hosting around 1.3 million Rohingyas in the country and sought international cooperation including Canada’s strong support for their sustainable return to their homeland.

The high commissioner noted these concerns and assured maximum support in addressing the issues.

Both sides expressed their reaffirmation to further strengthen the existing excellent bilateral relationship between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, capacity building, skill development, technical assistance, and people-to-people contact.

Touhid assured Ajit of full support from the government of Bangladesh during his tenure to strengthen the Bangladesh-Canada partnership.

Officers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomats of the High Commission of Canada in Dhaka were also present at the meeting.