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India and Bangladesh Set November Dates for Tarique Rahman's Visit
Confirmed
In Short: Delhi and Dhaka are looking at November dates for a bilateral visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, aiming to reset strained relations.
Delhi and Dhaka are exploring November dates for a bilateral visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, aiming to reset strained relations following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh.
Sources said the two sides are now looking at dates in November for the visit, with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi initiating the conversation in both capitals.
The formal paperwork is underway, and the official agreement must be approved by the Indian government.
Ties between the two countries had been looking up after Rahman took charge of Bangladesh in February, but were strained again in August when Hasina held a virtual press conference in New Delhi.
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir affirmed Dhaka's intent to “reset” relations, noting the government is waiting for a “conducive” moment for a high-level visit.
The visit is also aimed at normalizing bilateral trade and renewing the vital Ganga Water Treaty.
Earlier, Delhi had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit in August, but it was postponed.
Diplomatic relations were further strained when Rahman did not attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi, despite India extending an invitation as the host nation.
A change of guard is also taking place at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
Rahman maintained consistent contact with New Delhi during his years in London, and sent an emissary in February 2024 to gauge India’s mood following the controversial January elections.
This engagement aligns with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) broader strategic shift initiated in 2018 on Tarique Rahman's instructions to correct its historically hostile stance toward India.
What this adds
The sources have not established a specific date for the visit, only that it is being planned for November.
What's confirmed
- Delhi and Dhaka are exploring November dates for a bilateral visit by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India, aiming to reset strained relations following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh.
- Sources said the two sides are now looking at dates in November for the visit, with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi initiating the conversation in both capitals.
- The formal paperwork is underway, and the official agreement must be approved by the Indian government.
- Ties between the two countries had been looking up after Rahman took charge of Bangladesh in February, but were strained again in August when Hasina held a virtual press conference in New Delhi.
- Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir affirmed Dhaka's intent to “reset” relations, noting the government is waiting for a “conducive” moment for a high-level visit.
- The visit is also aimed at normalizing bilateral trade and renewing the vital Ganga Water Treaty.
- Earlier, Delhi had invited Rahman for a bilateral visit in August, but it was postponed.
- Diplomatic relations were further strained when Rahman did not attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi, despite India extending an invitation as the host nation.
- A change of guard is also taking place at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.
- Rahman maintained consistent contact with New Delhi during his years in London, and sent an emissary in February 2024 to gauge India’s mood following the controversial January elections.
- This engagement aligns with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) broader strategic shift initiated in 2018 on Tarique Rahman's instructions to correct its historically hostile stance toward India.
What's still developing
- There was outrage in Bangladesh over the remarks of Sheikh Hasina, the country’s ousted Prime Minister who has been living in India, during an interaction with the media via an audio link on August 5 which marked two years of the fall of her government.
- But Hasina’s public interaction in New Delhi this August angered Dhaka which has been seeking her extradition to Bangladesh where she faces a death sentence.
- While stating that the extradition request is “being examined”, the Indian side has been emphasising on a forward-looking relationship built on “mutuality of interests and reciprocity”.
- Sources said the two sides are “aware” of the significance of the Rahman visit, and have much to benefit from a strong and robust relationship.
- Published by Ghulam Faruque Alam and Printed at Sariatpur Printing Press 28/B Toyenbee Circular Road,Dhaka-1000 and on behalf of HRC Media Ltd. 9/F, HRC Bhaban, 46 Kawran Bazar Dhaka-1215 Phone No: 02-41010655 Mobile No: 01841011947, 01841042595 E-Mail: businesstinesad@gmail.com India and Bangladesh have resumed official-level talks to schedule a diplomatic visit for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to New Delhi.
- This strategic pause explains Bangladesh's recent absence from the BRICS Summit, despite Rahman holding the chairmanship of BIMSTEC.