New Delhi, Aug 14: India and Bangladesh are discussing fresh dates for Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed first official visit to New Delhi, with August 21 and the first week of September among the windows under consideration, people familiar with the developments said.
No final date has been decided so far, with officials from both countries taking into account their respective domestic political calendars and the need to ensure substantive outcomes from the proposed visit.
The invitation for Rahman to visit India was first extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a telephone conversation following Rahman’s electoral victory in February.
New Delhi later renewed the invitation in Rahman’s capacity as chair of BIMSTEC, asking him to participate in the BRICS Summit scheduled to be held in Delhi in September.
The Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the invitation remains open and reiterated India’s interest in maintaining a stable and productive partnership with Bangladesh.
The discussions on Rahman’s visit come amid increased diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
On August 10, India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dinesh Trivedi, met Prime Minister Rahman and separately held discussions with the country’s Home Minister in Dhaka. At the same time, Research and Analysis Wing chief Parag Jain was in the Bangladeshi capital for consultations.
Trivedi returned to New Delhi the following day and briefed Prime Minister Modi. The MEA subsequently reiterated India’s invitation to Rahman to attend the BRICS summit.
India and Bangladesh have also been exploring ways to deepen cooperation in sectors such as power and energy. Earlier this month, Trivedi met Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood to discuss bilateral cooperation. Bangladeshi media reports said Dhaka also sought increased supplies of diesel from India.
The renewed diplomatic engagement, however, comes amid continuing differences between the two countries.
Dhaka has expressed strong displeasure over the continued presence in India of former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and over a virtual press conference she addressed on August 5.
The Bangladesh government criticised the event and the platform provided to Hasina. India subsequently clarified that it did not endorse the remarks made during the press conference.
Against this backdrop, officials from both countries are working towards finalising a mutually convenient date for Rahman’s proposed visit, which is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations and areas of cooperation.
