Delhi and Dhaka have begun discussions on a bilateral visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, exploring a window in the second half of November in an effort to mend ties between the two countries, according to sources.
The development comes days after the BRICS leaders’ summit in New Delhi, which Rahman did not attend despite India, the host country, extending an invitation to Bangladesh as the current chair of the BIMSTEC grouping.
Delhi had earlier invited Rahman for a bilateral visit in August. However, the visit did not materialise. On August 5, two years after her government fell, Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s ousted former prime minister who has been living in India, interacted with the media through an audio link. Her remarks sparked outrage in Bangladesh.
Delhi, Dhaka Consider November Dates for Rahman’s Visit
According to sources, the two sides are now considering dates in November for the bilateral visit. The Ministry of External Affairs said Delhi had extended an invitation to Rahman for a stand-alone bilateral visit after he took office in February following the elections in Bangladesh.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi is learnt to have initiated the conversation in Dhaka and Delhi, with both sides considering possible dates that also suit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s schedule.
A change of leadership is also taking place at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. High Commissioner M Riaz Hamidullah is expected to head to Geneva as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam is expected to replace him as Bangladesh’s new High Commissioner. Formal paperwork is reportedly underway, as the appointment requires approval from the Indian government.
Sources said the two sides are trying to overcome the diplomatic challenge following the postponement of Rahman’s visit in August.
"Delhi and Dhaka have begun discussions on a bilateral visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, exploring a window in the …"
