Dhaka, Delhi seek fresh engagement; Dinesh Trivedi to meet PM tomorrow 

Despite brief tensions that surfaced between Dhaka and New Delhi following former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent speech in New Delhi the two countries are heading toward renewed engagement, signaling their intent to take bilateral relations forward constructively.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi, who submitted his credentials to the President on June 25, is set to meet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the first time tomorrow (10 August). Issues of mutual interest are likely to be discussed at the meeting.

Ahead of his meeting with the Prime Minister, the High Commissioner met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman at state guesthouse Padma this afternoon as both sides continue efforts to engage constructively. Neither side briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting.

"I can only tell you it's a pre-arranged meeting, and I don't know what they discussed," a senior official aware of the meeting told UNB, adding that the meeting between the Prime Minister and the Indian envoy will be held in the first half of the day.

Dhaka has reaffirmed its "Bangladesh First" policy and underscored its commitment to a forward-looking and mutually respectful relationship with India based on sovereign equality, mutual trust and understanding, and mutual benefit.

Bangladesh and India have more than forty bilateral mechanisms covering areas including water, trade, border management and consular issues.

India is willing to engage with the government in Bangladesh by gradually reactivating all the bilateral mechanisms, pursuing a relationship that keeps 'people at the center' of everything, a diplomatic source told UNB.

Problems to Be Sorted Out

Earlier in the day, the High Commissioner described Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as people's persons and expressed optimism that solutions to issues between the two countries could be found if the two leaders meet.

"I listened to his (PM Tarique) speeches many times…. He is a people's person, our Prime Minister (Modi), too. I think when two leaders meet, a lot of problems are sorted out. I have full confidence," he told reporters.

The High Commissioner said people are united and there will certainly be a solution. "I am very confident. There is nothing negative. Things remain positive."

He made the remarks after inaugurating the 'Children Playing Area' at the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in the afternoon.

The High Commissioner said there is huge demand for Indian visas and the capacity is gradually increasing.

On August 4, India confirmed that an invitation had been extended to Prime Minister Tarique to attend the BRICS Summit as the BIMSTEC Chair, while a separate bilateral invitation has been in place since February this year.

India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, focusing on global cooperation, trade and sustainable development.

"You would be aware that a formal invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India was extended when he assumed office in February 2026," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi.

As far as the BRICS Summit is concerned, he said India has separately extended an invitation to the Bangladesh Prime Minister in his capacity as the current Chair of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to attend the outreach session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

"The invitation has been extended as per the standard practice being followed in BRICS for the outreach sessions. Other heads of regional groups have also been invited in a similar manner," the MEA spokesperson said.

BIMSTEC comprises seven countries in the Bay of Bengal region - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

In April last year, Bangladesh assumed the chairmanship of the regional grouping for the next two years, reaffirming its commitment to advancing regional cooperation and development.

"We are reviewing it now. We will take a decision and inform you immediately," Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur told reporters on July 29 when asked about Bangladesh's response to the invitation.

Hasina Issue

Amid stated 'outrage' from Bangladesh, the Indian government yesterday reiterated that it had "no role" to play in former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's recent press conference in New Delhi, nor does it endorse what was said at the event, where Hasina spoke virtually.

"I have already stated the government's position on the issue before the press conference happened. You would have seen those remarks. I am reiterating it here," said Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal.

Responding to a question at the MEA's regular briefing in New Delhi, Jaiswal said the Indian government had no role to play in what was an event by a private media entity.

"And the government does not endorse anything said at the Forum, especially with regard to the duly-constituted government of Bangladesh," he said.

The MEA Spokesperson also said they continued to closely follow developments that happen in their neighborhood, keeping their national security interests in mind, and would take whatever measures have to be taken in that regard.

Energy cooperation

On August 6, High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood recently and exchanged views on further strengthening cooperation in the power and energy sectors.

The discussion focused on the importance of cross-border power and energy connectivity as a key pillar of Bangladesh-India economic partnership.

Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing cooperation based on mutual interest and mutual benefit, with a view to enhancing energy security, promoting sustainable development, and supporting the prosperity of the people of both countries.

"We import diesel from India through the pipeline, and we have requested them to supply more," the Energy Minister told reporters after the meeting.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam reiterated that Dhaka wants constructive engagement with New Delhi, noting that the two neighbours have a wide range of bilateral issues requiring continued dialogue.

"We want our relations... because we have many issues with India, many bilateral issues - water, energy, and the border - that need to be resolved through discussion and dialogue," she said on Thursday.

Shama Obaed, however, emphasised that Bangladesh's relationship with India extends far beyond the current issue.

"A country has many aspects to its relationship with another country. We need to have a lot of dialogue with them, and we need to hold discussions. We have cooperation on energy, we have a major issue with them over water, and there are issues on the border - these have to be resolved through discussions," she said.

People-Centric Efforts

A mother's simple request can sometimes spark meaningful change, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Sunday, noting that at his first inspection of the Indian Visa Application Centre, a mother appealed to High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi for a safe play area where children could stay while their parents applied for visas.

Just a few weeks later, her request became a reality, and on Sunday she returned to inaugurate the very play area she had envisioned, along with her child.

"A small initiative, but one that reflects a larger spirit: India delivers. It is these people-centric efforts that bring India-Bangladesh ties to life, a relationship whose strongest foundation is its people," said the High Commission.