Bangladesh PM's visit to India should take place much sooner: Dinesh Trivedi

Reiterating his optimism about addressing any issue through top-level meetings and interactions, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi tonight (16 August) said he remains very hopeful that a visit to India by Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman "should take place much sooner." 

"Issues can only be sorted out by meeting, and I am very hopeful," he said, noting that hearts are very close and that he wants to see a golden chapter in Bangladesh-India relations.

Speaking at a welcome dinner hosted by Masud Jamil Khan, honorary consul of Ireland in Bangladesh, and his wife Kate Jaro Khan in Baridhara, the high commissioner said Bangladesh and India do not only share a border; they really share a dream.

The Indian envoy said Bangladesh and India are two sovereign countries. "We have our challenges. There is no doubt about it. And if you do not have challenges, that is not democracy. No matter how chaotic is democracy......"

He also said, "We need our space. We have our differences. We have our arguments. That's okay. But as long as our goals are the same, that we want people, not only of these two countries, but all over the world, you have dignity, respect, mutual respect for each other. And that's what we strive for. And I sincerely wish.....My very objective is to have a golden period between India and Bangladesh."

Highlighting his efforts towards that goal, the high commissioner said they have to move on.

The envoy said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is truly a people's person and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too. "Both are people's persons, and the objective is the same. And this is where I have said many times in the media, wherever they have asked me that when two such leaders meet and interact, there is no problem, there is no issue, which cannot be discussed and which cannot be sorted out".

Masud Khan said that over time, the relationship has developed into a broad partnership encompassing trade and investment, connectivity, energy, education, culture, security, development cooperation, and people-to-people relations.

"But of course, there is always more that can be achieved, and we must always acknowledge our challenges," he said.

Masud Khan hoped that during the High Commissioner's tenure, Bangladesh and India will continue to address their shared challenges with openness, mutual respect, and a spirit of cooperation. "And we wish him all success during his time here." 

Ambassadors and high commissioners stationed in Dhaka, former diplomats, businesspeople, city elites, and former civil and defence officials were also present.

On Saturday, the high commissioner highlighted the importance of working together to advance the partnership in key sectors and nurture the exceptional bond of friendship between Bangladesh and India.

"We recognise that it is the people-to-people connection, rooted in shared aspiration and mutual goodwill, that remains the true beating heart of this enduring friendship," he said while celebrating India's 80th Independence Day at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Trivedi urged the two countries to work together towards shared prosperity, noting that Bangladesh and India are advancing their partnership across vital sectors, ranging from trade and connectivity to security and healthcare.

"Let us also continue to nurture the exceptional bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh, working hand in hand toward shared prosperity," he said.

The high commissioner reflected on the foundations of the relationship and said the two countries are bound by a shared history of the freedom struggle and had built their ties on mutual respect and partnership.

"With the history of the freedom struggle, our bond is deeply entwined. On this solid bedrock of shared history, mutual respect, and partnership, our relationship continues to flourish," Trivedi said.

Describing his first meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as fruitful, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi recently said Bangladesh and India not only share a border but also share dreams. 

"We are looking forward. Our invitation is there in place. We are positive that if the two leaders meet together, there will be a discussion. There will be issues in democracies. It's not democracy if there is no issue. But there is only one people's issue, which is good relations. It's a win-win situation if there is a good relationship," he told reporters when his attention was drawn to the outcome of the meeting.