India’s envoy says Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman would receive an “honourable reception” if he visits New Delhi….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi has said Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would receive an “honourable reception” in India if he decides to visit, signalling New Delhi’s willingness to strengthen ties with Dhaka.
Speaking at a reception for Bangladeshi business leaders and a visiting Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) delegation in Dhaka, Trivedi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed a desire to meet Rahman.
“After meeting the prime minister here, I went straight to Delhi and had a great meeting with our prime minister. He (PM Narendra Modi) just mentioned one thing: we need to meet,” Trivedi said.
According to Bangladesh newspaper The Daily Star, the Indian envoy said Modi had indicated that Rahman would receive an “honourable reception as he deserves” during a visit to India.
Trivedi had met Rahman in Dhaka before travelling to New Delhi, where he subsequently called on Modi last week.
The Indian High Commissioner said a potential visit by Rahman could become a “memorable” occasion and help create opportunities for people and businesses in both countries.
He acknowledged that India-Bangladesh relations had experienced “hiccups” but said differences should not undermine the longstanding relationship between the neighbouring countries.
“I can tell you I fully understand there are issues, but these issues can definitely be sorted out once the prime minister of Bangladesh and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet,” Trivedi said.
He called for both sides to address their differences while maintaining focus on future cooperation.
“We need to get ourselves together… I’m not telling you to forget the past. Keep it, but sort out the differences. And move on. Don’t get stagnant,” he added.
Trivedi identified people-to-people ties, employment, education and healthcare as areas where India and Bangladesh could further expand cooperation.
He also highlighted India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, saying it reflected the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Bangladesh.
The envoy pointed to recent high-level engagements between the two countries, including visits by India’s External Affairs Minister and Speaker, as well as his own appointment in Dhaka, as signs of India’s efforts to give fresh momentum to bilateral relations.
He said Indian officials had been engaging with Bangladeshi leaders in recent weeks to address differences and better understand concerns among the Bangladeshi people.
Trivedi also stressed that the relationship should be viewed as “a partnership of equals”, suggesting that mutual interests and cooperation should remain at the centre of future engagement.
His remarks came as the Indian High Commission in Dhaka hosted a business reception on Tuesday, bringing together members of Bangladesh’s business community and representatives of the visiting CII delegation.
The event focused on strengthening economic and commercial cooperation and expanding business-to-business links between the two countries.
Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam also attended the programme and delivered the keynote address.
The latest diplomatic outreach comes as India and Bangladesh seek to strengthen bilateral engagement following differences that have affected relations. Trivedi’s comments indicated that New Delhi sees high-level political engagement, including a possible meeting between Modi and Rahman, as an important step towards resolving outstanding issues and rebuilding momentum in the relationship.
The emphasis on economic cooperation also reflects the importance of trade and business ties between the two neighbouring countries, with both sides looking to identify areas for greater collaboration and opportunities for businesses.
The proposed engagement could also provide an opportunity to broaden cooperation beyond government-to-government relations, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, employment and people-to-people exchanges.
Trivedi’s remarks underline India’s stated interest in maintaining close ties with Bangladesh while addressing differences through direct dialogue and renewed political engagement.
