State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir yesterday said Bangladesh and India will overcome their existing challenges through dialogue and discussion, expressing optimism about positive outcomes in the near future and a visit by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India. “Of course, there are some challenges. We are hopeful that we can overcome those through dialogue and discussion,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry in the afternoon. Kobir said there were some discussions on Tarique’s visit during the courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi in the morning.
Asked about the timing of the visit, he said it would be decided later through discussion. “...we will do a visit when the environment is conducive, based on mutual respect,” said the state minister. On speculation that November could be a possible timeframe, Kobir declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi described the overall state of Bangladesh-India relations as “absolutely positive”, saying Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to India will take place at a mutually convenient time. “I am telling again. Our invitation is open. I don’t think there is a need for a hurry. Everything is very positive. But we must give due time,” he told reporters while responding to a question at the foreign ministry.
Trivedi expressed hope that the political leadership of both countries would find a convenient time for further engagement. Asked about the current state of bilateral relations, the Indian envoy said there were political compulsions on both sides, but these should not overshadow the broader relationship. “There is no question about anything like it. I am positive, the state minister is positive, and the people of Bangladesh are positive. Everything is possible,” Trivedi said.
Last week, India reiterated that it wants to take its relationship with Bangladesh forward in a positive, constructive and forward-looking manner and expressed its willingness to discuss all bilateral issues between the two countries. “India desires a positive, constructive, and forward-looking relationship with Bangladesh,” Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said while responding to a question about bilateral ties during a media briefing in New Delhi recently. Jaiswal said India is ready to discuss all bilateral issues with Bangladesh through the existing structured mechanisms.
Why it matters
The timing and environment of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to India will shape the near-term trajectory of bilateral diplomatic and economic cooperation between Dhaka and New Delhi.