Formal-level discussions between Bangladesh and India have resumed over preparations for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s planned visit to New Delhi, Bangladeshi media reported, citing Indian newspaper The Hindu.
Officials from the two countries have been holding a series of meetings in Dhaka and working on arrangements for Tarique Rahman’s India visit. According to reports, both sides are making preparations for the visit to take place at an appropriate time in November.
The discussions are expected to cover issues including the normalization of bilateral trade, which has been affected by political tensions, as well as the extension of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. Bangladeshi media have reported that the current Ganges water-sharing agreement is due to expire in December.
Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Dinesh Trivedi, has also held meetings with several members of the Bangladesh government in recent days. Among those he met were Water Resources Minister Muhammad Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahadi Amin, according to media reports.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel to New York in September to attend the United Nations General Assembly. He is also expected to have several diplomatic engagements in October and November. Against this backdrop, efforts are underway to schedule his India visit for a suitable time in November.
In addition, Tarique Rahman was invited by India to attend the BRICS Summit as the chair of BIMSTEC. However, he did not attend the summit, and Bangladesh did not send a representative either. Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry has said that a bilateral visit would be prioritized at an appropriate time as part of efforts to rebuild relations between the two countries.
Relations between Bangladesh and India became more strained following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from office in 2024. Sheikh Hasina is currently staying in India, and the Dhaka government has lodged objections over statements she has made from India.
The ongoing discussions are focused not only on preparations for Tarique Rahman’s India visit but also on issues including bilateral trade, water resources and efforts to stabilize relations between Bangladesh and India, according to media reports.
Ref: The Hindu, Dhaka Tribune, TBS, bdnews24.
