Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, a development viewed as further consultations as both sides work to advance their relations in a positive and constructive manner.
Citing diplomatic sources in New Delhi, BBC Bangla reported that the visit was intended to convey Dhaka's current stance regarding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s potential visit to India.
However, there has been no official statement regarding this visit from the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, India's Ministry of External Affairs, or Prime Minister Modi's office.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday that the visit of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to India will take place at a conducive time.
"I am hopeful about it. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has never said that he will not visit India. The Indian High Commissioner is making efforts, and hopefully, Delhi will be receptive to his views," Kobir stated.
High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, speaking to reporters in Dhaka recently, emphasized the need for proper preparations by both sides prior to the meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, noting that there is no benefit in rushing.
"We have to make sure that proper preparations are made because many issues will have to be discussed - trade, commerce, water - many issues. We are very positive about the future," he said in response to a question.
After a courtesy meeting with Liberation War Affairs Minister Ahmed Azam Khan on Wednesday, the High Commissioner stated that they must provide both Prime Ministers with a convenient time.
"As far as the Prime Minister's visit is concerned, the atmosphere is absolutely positive," said the Indian envoy, noting that no discussion had been held about the timing or month, but the visit would definitely take place.
He said there would be no issues for which a solution could not be found if the two leaders met and sat together. "See, challenges will be there. If we think there are no challenges, that would be wrong."
Why it matters
The diplomatic consultations signal Bangladesh and India's shared commitment to resolving bilateral issues and advancing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's planned visit to New Delhi.