Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin reaffirms the country’s commitment to strong ties with India as new High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi formally assumes office in Dhaka, reports India Daily News Desk
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has reaffirmed Dhaka’s commitment to maintaining strong and forward-looking relations with India, describing New Delhi as a close neighbour and an important trade and development partner, as India’s new High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi formally assumed charge in Dhaka.
Trivedi presented his credentials to President Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Thursday in a ceremonial event that marked the official beginning of his diplomatic tenure at a time when both countries are seeking to rebuild momentum in bilateral ties.
The Indian envoy was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour by the President Guard Regiment before presenting his credentials. He later held a courtesy meeting with the Bangladeshi President, during which the two sides discussed the future of India-Bangladesh relations and regional cooperation.
Following the meeting, President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam said Shahabuddin welcomed the new High Commissioner and expressed confidence that his tenure would help make bilateral relations stronger, more productive and increasingly people-centric.
The President also recalled the participation of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s newly elected government after the February general elections, in which the ruling administration secured more than a two-thirds majority.
Focus on stronger bilateral ties
During the meeting, President Shahabuddin emphasised that Bangladesh attaches “special importance” to its relationship with India, citing the neighbouring country’s role as a key development and trading partner.
He said Bangladesh remains committed to building an honourable and forward-looking partnership based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, national interests and the welfare of the people of both countries.
Responding to the President’s remarks, Trivedi said India and Bangladesh naturally enjoy a friendly and cordial relationship as two neighbouring sovereign nations.
The Bangladeshi President also stressed the need to increase people-to-people exchanges while encouraging positive initiatives to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, including those related to border management.
On border cooperation, Trivedi referred to recent discussions between senior officials of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB), describing them as constructive.
He said more frequent meetings between border forces and officials at both the local and senior levels would help address pending issues and strengthen confidence between the two countries.
The Indian High Commissioner also conveyed greetings from India’s leadership to President Shahabuddin, who, in turn, asked him to pass on his greetings to the President of India.
Seeking the cooperation of both the Bangladeshi government and its people, Trivedi said he looked forward to working towards strengthening bilateral ties during his tenure. President Shahabuddin assured him of Bangladesh’s full support in carrying out his responsibilities.
Ceremonial Cabinet rank
Ahead of formally taking charge, the Government of India accorded Trivedi the status equivalent to that of a Union Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence for ceremonial purposes.
A Ministry of Home Affairs memorandum clarified that the move was a personal measure applicable only during official ceremonial functions and does not alter Trivedi’s designation, powers or responsibilities as High Commissioner.
The Table of Precedence determines the order of protocol followed during state functions, diplomatic ceremonies and official events, including seating arrangements and ceremonial courtesies.
Officials emphasised that the decision does not amend the existing Table of Precedence or affect the day-to-day functioning of the government.
Trivedi formally received his Letters of Credence from President Droupadi Murmu on June 5 before travelling to Bangladesh by road through the Petrapole-Benapole border crossing on June 12.
He succeeds Pranay Kumar Verma, who served as India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh for four years.
Immediately after presenting his credentials, Trivedi was scheduled to visit the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) at Jamuna Future Park to review visa operations before interacting briefly with the media.
Before assuming office, he had visited Netaji Bhavan in Kolkata, where he expressed confidence that India and Bangladesh would continue strengthening ties based on shared democratic values, common aspirations and strong people-to-people connections.
A veteran politician, Trivedi brings decades of administrative and parliamentary experience to one of India’s most strategically important diplomatic postings.
He previously served as Union Minister for Railways and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in the Manmohan Singh government and represented West Bengal in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, serving as the MP from Barrackpore between 2009 and 2019.
He was honoured with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for 2016-17 and chaired several parliamentary forums, including the Indo-European Union Parliamentary Forum. After leaving the All India Trinamool Congress, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor congratulated Trivedi on assuming his new role, saying he looked forward to working closely with him in his capacity as US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.
